What Is Measles?
Measles is a serious disease caused by a virus that
spreads easily from person to person. Measles causes
fever, rash, and other complications. It may be called
Rubeola, the10-day, hard or red measles. Measles is
prevented by vaccination. There are many other viral
rash illnesses that are usually milder.
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- Symptoms start 10-12 days after exposure.
- The symptoms last for 1 to 2 weeks.
- The illness starts with a high fever (101°F),
followed by a runny nose, watery red eyes, and a
cough.
- Tiny, blue-white spots usually appear inside
the mouth during the first few days.
- A raised, red rash appears along the
hairline about 14 days after exposure. The
rash then moves to the face and spreads down the
trunk and back of the body before it moves out
the arms and legs. The rash usually last 4
to 7 days.
- People with measles are contagious from 4
days before until at lest 4 days after the rash
begins.
- Measles spread from person to
person. The virus that causes
measles is found in droplets and
secretions from those nose and throat of
a person with measles.
- Measles virus is highly contagious
and can stay suspended in the air in a
closed room for up to two hours.
- A person entering the room is
exposed even after the person with
measles has left the room.
- Anyone who is not immune to
measles.
- Adults born before
1957 are generally
considered immune
because they more than
likely have had measles
disease.
- Adults and children
born after January 1,
1957, are considered
immune if: they have had
measles disease, or
- a laboratory test
confirming that they
have immunity to
measles, or
- they have
documentation of a dose
of MMR vaccine given
after 1968.
NOTE:
Washington
State Law requires that
children receive a 2nd
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
(MMR) vaccination before
entry into kindergarten.
A second MMR dose has been
required for school aged
children since 1992. Many
colleges and schools of
higher education now require
proof of a second MMR for
school entry.
- Persons
attending
college and
other post-high
school
educational
institutions.
- Persons
working in
facilities with
a lot of
international
students,
workers or
travelers.
- Persons
working in
medical
facilities.
-
International
travelers.
- Any
person who has
not had measles
vaccine and has
not had a
history of
having had
measles disease
that has been
confirmed by a
laboratory test.
Individuals
should not receive
the MMR Vaccine if
they:
- have
had a
severe
allergic
reaction
to a
vaccine
component
or
following
a prior
dose
- are
pregnant
- are
taking
medications
or have
conditions
that
suppress
their
ability
to fight
infections
- have
moderate
to
severe
illness
right
now
- have
recently
received
a blood
product
(within
the last
three
months)
*Studies
have
demonstrated
the safety
of MMR in
egg-allergic
children
- People with a rash illness and fever should limit their contact with others until at least 4 full days have passed since the time their rash first appeared
- People diagnosed with measles should limit their contact with others until at least 4 full days have passed since the time their rash first appeared.
- People who are exposed to someone who have measles should contact their health care provider immediately. If they have not been vaccinated, measles vaccine can help prevent infection, if it is given within three days (72 hours) of exposure.
- Immune globulin, when given within six days of exposure, may help prevent infection for those who cannot receive the MMR vaccine.
- Immune globulin, when given within six days of exposure, may help prevent infection for those who cannot receive the MMR vaccine.
- Immune globulin, when given within six days of exposure, may help prevent infection for those who cannot receive the MMR vaccine.
- Make sure family members are fully vaccinated. Washington State law requires that all children have a record of immunization against measles for entry into school or a child day care center or preschool.
- The measles vaccine is combined with other vaccines. The vaccine most often given is the MMR (measles mumps rubella) vaccine.
The 1st MMR vaccine is given to children when they are 12 to 15 months of age.
- For children attending school in Washington State , two doses of measles containing vaccine is required for school entry.
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