Measles

Measles: What You Need to Know

About Measles

What is measles?  Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
Symptoms to Watch For: Fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a red blotchy rash starting on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body.

Measles Symptoms Timeline

• Incubation Period: Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after infection but can take up to 21 days to develop.
• Early Symptoms (Days 1–3): Includes fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Around this time, Koplik spots—tiny white spots—may appear inside the mouth.
• Rash and Fever (Days 4–7): A red rash begins at the hairline and spreads downward across the body. When the rash appears, fever can spike to over 104°F.
• Duration: Measles symptoms usually last 1 to 2 weeks in total.

Why It's Serious:

Measles can lead to complications like pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death, especially in young children.

Serious complications from measles include:

• 1 out of 20 children who get measles get pneumonia which is the most common cause of death for children with measles.
• 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the US who get measles are hospitalized.
• 1 out of every 10 children with measles will get an ear infection.
• 1 in 1,000 children who get measles develop encephalitis or swelling of the brain.
• Nearly 1-3 of every 1000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
• If you are pregnant and have not had the MMR vaccine, complications during pregnancy from measles infection could cause premature birth or low birth weight.

How It Spreads

Person-to-Person Contact: The virus lives in the nose and throat and can linger in the air for up to 2 hours.
Contagious Before Symptoms Appear: People can spread measles 4 days before and 4 days after the rash appears.
High-Risk Areas: You’re more likely to be exposed to measles when visiting places where fewer people are vaccinated. This includes certain international destinations or communities with low immunization rates.

Prevention and Protection

MMR Vaccine: The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and over 97% effective with 2 doses or 93% with one dose.
Vaccination Schedule: First dose at 12–15 months, second dose at 4–6 years. Adults may need a booster if unsure of immunity.
When to Stay Home or Call a Doctor: Stay home if symptomatic and call your provider, urgent care, or hospital emergency room before visiting to avoid spreading illness.