Measles is a highly infectious respiratory People at highest risk are individuals who are disease caused by the measles virus. unvaccinated, pregnant women, infants under six months of age, and those with weakened How is measles spread? immune systems. Measles spreads easily. When someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected What type of health problems are caused droplets spray into the air, where other by measles? people can inhale them. The infected droplets Measles can cause severe illness and may also land on a surface, where they complications, such as diarrhea, ear infections, remain active and contagious for several pneumonia, encephalitis (brain infection), hours. You can contract the virus by putting seizures, and death. These complications your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing are more common among children under five your eyes after touching the infected surface. years or age and adults over 20 years of age. The measles virus can survive for two hours in air or on surfaces where an infected person How is measles diagnosed? has been. Your doctor can usually diagnose measles based on the rash and other signs. If necessary, a blood What are the signs and symptoms of test or swab from the throat or nose can confirm measles? whether the rash is truly measles. The first symptoms of measles resemble a cold and appear about 7-12 days after How is measles treated? exposure to the virus. These include a cough, There is no specific therapy for measles. Medical fever of 101°F or greater, runny nose, and care is supportive and to help relieve symptoms red, watery eyes, and sometimes white spots and help with issues such as bacterial infections. in the mouth called Koplik’s spots. These mild symptoms may last 3-5 days. A few days later, How can measles be prevented? a rash begins around the ears and hairline, The best protection against measles is measles- and spreads to cover the face, trunk, and mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine arms. The rash may last about 5-6 days. provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles. Children usually get the MMR It is also important to know that people with vaccine at 12-15 months of age and again at 4-6 measles can spread the disease from four years of age. Students at post-high school days before to four days after the rash educational institutions who do not have appears. This means an infected person can evidence of measles immunity need two doses spread the disease before knowing he or she of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days. is infected. Bureau of Epidemiology • 801-538-6191 • www.health.utah.gov/epi Adults who do not have evidence of immunity Can I still get the measles if I am fully should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine. vaccinated? People six months of age and older who will Very few people—about three out of 100— be traveling internationally should be who get two doses of measles vaccine will still protected against measles. Healthcare get measles if exposed to the virus. Experts personnel without evidence of immunity aren’t sure why. It could be that their immune should get two doses of MMR vaccine, systems didn’t respond as well as they should separated by at least 28 days. Visit MMR have to the vaccine. However, fully vaccinated Vaccination for more information. people who get measles are much more likely to have a milder illness. And fully vaccinated people People exposed to measles who cannot are also less likely to spread the disease to other readily show evidence of immunity against people, including people who can’t get measles may get the MMR vaccine as post- vaccinated because they are too young or have exposure prophylaxis (PEP). If immunity weakened immune systems. cannot be provided, these individuals should be excluded from the setting (school, What is the difference between measles hospital, childcare). (rubeola) and German measles (rubella)? Measles (rubeola) is a serious disease and is MMR vaccine, if administered within 72 hours sometimes called "hard,” "red,” or "seven day of initial measles exposure, may provide measles.” Individuals infected with measles some protection. If measles still develops, the frequently suffer from ear infections and/or illness usually has milder symptoms and lasts pneumonia. German measles (rubella) is a mild, for a shorter time. three-day infection that seldom leads to complications in children. However, rubella may Pregnant women, infants and people with cause birth deformities in babies born to weakened immune systems who are exposed mothers who are infected with the virus during to the virus may receive an injection of pregnancy. proteins (antibodies) called immune serum globulin (IG). When given within six days of Where can I get more information? exposure to the virus, these antibodies can • Your personal healthcare provider prevent measles or make symptoms less • Centers for Disease Control & Prevention severe. • Utah Department of Health
Rev. 04/2018
Bureau of Epidemiology • 801-538-6191 • www.health.utah.gov/epi