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RUBEOLA (MEASLES) FACT SHEET

What is measles? Who is most at risk?


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

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