Measles information

What is Measles?

Measles is a serious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes) that causes a rash and fever. It is very contagious. In rare cases, it can be deadly.

What are the symptoms?

Measles starts with a fever that can get very high. Some of the other symptoms that may occur are a cough, runny nose, and red eyes, rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body, diarrhea, and ear infection.

How is it spread?

Measles is highly contagious and spreads when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs, or sneezes.You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been up to 2 hours after that person is gone and you can catch measles from an infected person even before they have a rash. The possibility of contracting measles is extremely high for those who have not had the MMR vaccine and are exposed to the measles virus.

Who is at risk?

People at risk of measles include those who have not received the measles or MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccine, children and people with a compromised or weak immune system, and people who are not immune and who travel overseas.

How is it prevented?

The best protection against measles is immunization with two doses of MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccine. This vaccine provides protection against infection with measles, as well as against mumps and rubella. Anyone who has never had measles infection or measles vaccination should talk with their doctor about receiving the MMR vaccine. People with measles should stay at home until they are no longer infectious (i.e. until 4 days after the rash starts).

How is it treated?

People with measles infection are normally advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids. There is no specific treatment. While a person is infectious with measles it is important that he or she remains at home to reduce the possibility of spreading it to other people.