Measles (also known as rubeola) is an infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It affects the respiratory system and is one of the world’s most contagious diseases.
Measles is spread from coughing or sneezing and can live in the air and on surfaces for several hours. So it's easy to get sick if you breathe in the virus or touch infected surfaces and then touch your face.
Measles has affected people for centuries. Before we had vaccines, measles outbreaks were common and caused serious illness and death, especially in young children. Measles was eradicated (eliminated) in the United States in 2000. But in recent years, U.S. communities with low vaccination rates have had outbreaks of measles.
Measles is mainly spread through the air when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes and sends droplets into the air. If you breathe them in, you can get sick. You can also get measles if you come into contact with fluids from the nose or throat of somebody who has measles.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses out there. You can get measles just by being in the same building as someone who is contagious.
It takes about 10 to 14 days (sometimes up to 21 days) after you are exposed to the measles virus before symptoms appear. Even though you might not show any signs of illness, you can spread the virus to others. After you have symptoms, you are still contagious for several days.
One person infected with measles can infect nine of 10 unvaccinated people. Because measles is so contagious, it's important to vaccinate against it, identify people who are infected and isolate people who have it to keep the virus from spreading.
Measles can affect anyone who is not immune to the virus. People at higher risk include:
If you have measles, you may notice symptoms such as:
After a few days, you may see:
Measles can lead to serious complications, including:
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a combined vaccine that helps protect against all three of these illnesses. It contains weak or inactivated forms of the viruses that cause these illnesses. It stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against these viruses.
The vaccine is highly effective. It's given in two doses, which are about 97% effective in preventing measles. Millions of people worldwide have received the MMR vaccine and it has a strong safety record.
Like all vaccines, MMR may cause mild side effects like soreness, mild rash, stiff joints or low fever, but serious side effects are extremely rare. Side effects from contracting measles are much more likely. Researchers have not found a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.
Vaccination doesn't just protect the person who receives the vaccine. It helps prevent outbreaks by reducing the spread of measles in communities. It also protects those who cannot receive the measles vaccine. Because it contains a weak virus, some people with compromised immune systems can’t be vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.
When many people in a community are vaccinated against measles, the virus doesn't have as much opportunity to spread. This is called herd immunity and it generally occurs when 95% of a population is vaccinated.
The MMR vaccine is recommended for:
Children ages 12 months to 12 years may be able to get the MMRV vaccine, which includes protection against varicella (chickenpox).
Unless it is an emergency, don’t go to a medical facility if you or someone you know has symptoms that could be measles. Contact your health care provider or local health care department right away by phone or message.
Measles is very contagious, so your health care team may recommend a video visit or take precautions to reduce the risk that the virus could spread to others in the waiting room or other health care settings.
Your provider will ask you about your symptoms, vaccination status, recent travel and possible exposure to measles and will let you know when and where to seek care.
If it is an emergency, try to call ahead before going to a medical facility so they can take the needed precautions to limit spread to others.
To figure out if you have measles, your health care provider may:
Your provider will make sure you don’t have another condition with similar symptoms, such as the common cold, flu (influenza) or conditions like chickenpox or roseola, which can also cause rashes.
With an accurate measles diagnosis, your provider can start treating you and managing your symptoms, recommend isolation steps to keep it from spreading and inform public health officials to help control outbreaks.
There's no antiviral medication for measles, so treating it involves managing symptoms and helping your body fight the virus. It can help to:
If you get a bacterial infection from measles, such as pneumonia or an ear infection, you may need antibiotics. If you have a severe case, you may need to be hospitalized.
People diagnosed with measles should be isolated at home or in a health care setting to prevent the virus from spreading. Most people are quarantined for four days after the rash first appears. It's important for people with measles to avoid contacting other people, especially those who are unvaccinated, pregnant or have weak immune systems.
Your health care provider can give you more guidance about quarantine recommendations.
Exposed people who are not vaccinated can receive the vaccine to help prevent spread of the infection. For those people who can’t get the vaccine, antibody infusion (IVIG) may be available to help prevent infection.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes fever, cough, rash and other symptoms, and can lead to serious complications. It’s important to get the MMR vaccine, since it provides a lot of protection against measles.
If you think you or someone you know might have measles, call your health care provider or local health department. They may recommend a video visit or take precautions before they see you, to help prevent measles from spreading to others.
To learn more about the MMR vaccine and treating measles, reach out to an expert at Banner Health.
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