Measles: Symptoms, Exposure & Vaccination

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily from person to person. While many people think of measles as a childhood illness that causes a rash, it can lead to serious complications, including hospitalization, pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and, in rare cases, death.

What Are the Symptoms of Measles?

Measles often begins with:

• High fever, which may rise above 104°F
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• A rash that usually appears three to five days after symptoms begin

People with measles are often contagious before they realize they have the disease, making it easy to spread to others.

Call Before You Come In

If you have symptoms of measles or believe you have been exposed to someone with measles, call your clinic before coming in for an appointment. Healthcare providers can give you instructions and make arrangements to help protect other patients, visitors, and staff from exposure.

Do not arrive at a clinic, urgent care, or hospital without calling ahead if measles is suspected.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Seek immediate medical care if you or your child develops any of the following symptoms:

• Trouble breathing or breathing faster than normal
• Pain when breathing or coughing
• Confusion, severe weakness, or decreased alertness
• Fever or headache that will not go away
• Signs of dehydration, including a dry mouth, urinating less often, or crying without tears
• Blue coloring around the mouth, low energy, or difficulty feeding in young children

Why Vaccination Matters

According to the CDC, measles can cause serious health complications, including pneumonia, swelling of the brain (encephalitis), hospitalization, and death.

• Approximately 1 in 5 people who get measles will be hospitalized.
• About 1 in 20 children with measles will develop pneumonia, the most common cause of measles-related death in young children.
• Approximately 1 in 1,000 people with measles will develop swelling of the brain (encephalitis), which can lead to brain damage.
• Between 1 and 3 out of every 1,000 people with measles will die from the disease.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provides safe, long-lasting protection against measles.

Interested in Getting Vaccinated?

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provides safe, long-lasting protection against measles. If you are interested in getting vaccinated, contact your primary care clinic. Your healthcare provider can help you schedule vaccination and answer questions about measles prevention.