Measles

Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clear up in a few days. But measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old.

Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. The best protection against measles is measles, mumps, and rubella is the MMR vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.

Most people get two doses of the MMR vaccine as children and then never need another one. Usually the first dose is given at 12-15 months old, and the second dose is given at 4-6 years old. Babies and young children may need to get their doses earlier if they are going to travel outside the U.S. or if they live in an area with an active measles outbreak. You are considered immune and do not need a vaccine if you were born before 1957, have had a confirmed case of measles, or have had a lab test showing you are immune. 

Why is measles in the news?

Measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000. Measles has recently re-appeared in several parts of the country due to low vaccination rates. In 2025, three people (two children, one adult) in the United States died from measles. Another child died from a health complication caused by a measles infection they had as a baby before they were old enough to get vaccinated. There are currently several outbreaks of measles across the US, in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

Signs and symptoms

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:

  • High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose (coryza)
  • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Rash

What should I do if I've been exposed to measles? 

You do not need to be tested for measles unless you develop symptoms (see above). If you develop symptoms, call your doctor’s office or the health department before going in. Call your doctor to find out if you are eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to reduce your risk of getting sick. If you are unvaccinated, then you should stay home and monitor for symptoms for 21 days to avoid spreading the virus to others.

Complications

Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.

Who is at risk

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.

Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. However, measles is still common in many parts of the world. Every year, measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers who get measles while they are in other countries. These travelers are mostly Americans and sometimes international visitors.

Some people are a higher risk of experiencing severe complications from measles.

How it spreads

Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to 2 hours after that person has left.

Prevention

Protect yourself with the vaccine. The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.

Prevent measles and talk to your healthcare provider about the MMR vaccine, especially if planning to travel.

Measles is so contagious that if 10 unvaccinated people are around a person with measles, then 9 of them will catch it. If you are unvaccinated and are exposed to measles, you should stay home for 21 days to avoid infecting others. In addition to babies and young children, people who are pregnant or who have weakened immune systems are more likely to have serious complications from measles. There is no treatment for measles once you catch it. The only way to stop it is to get vaccinated before being exposed. To schedule a vaccine appointment call 336-651-7450.

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