What Parents Should Know About Measles 

Measles is a highly contagious, very serious virus that spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Although it was declared eliminated in U.S. in 2000 thanks to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the virus has been making a comeback recently. The new measles outbreaks are due to lower rates of vaccination among children and people bringing the disease back from to the U.S. from trips abroad.  

What does measles look like? 

Measles usually starts as a rash of red, raised bumps on a person’s head that spreads to their body. On darker skin, the bumps may look purple or be harder to see. Other symptoms include a high fever (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit/37.5 degrees Celsius), sore throat, runny nose, white spots inside the mouth and sore, red eyes.  

Sometimes people don’t get the rash when they get measles, which makes it easier for them to pass it to other people. Measles is contagious four days before the rash develops and four days after the bumps show up. The virus can stay in the air up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who are near an infected person will catch measles if they’re exposed.  

Beyond the rash and the fever, measles can cause serious complications, especially in children under five years old. One out of five unvaccinated people who catch measles will be hospitalized for diarrhea, pneumonia or brain swelling. Measles can cause blindness and even death. The virus can also wipe out your body’s memory of immunity for other diseases like COVID-19, flu or the common cold.   

How can I prevent measles? 

The best defense against measles is the vaccine. The MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective against measles. People who are vaccinated against the virus and get measles are much less likely to experience serious side effects. Most people in the U.S. get the MMR vaccine in two doses when they’re a little over a year old and between the ages of four and six.  

People who didn’t get their vaccine as a child can still get vaccinated against measles with their healthcare provider. If you catch measles before you get vaccinated, getting the vaccine can still reduce your symptoms and help keep you out of the hospital. Individuals who are high risk but can’t get vaccinated, such as pregnant people, very young children and immunocompromised individuals, should take precautions, especially when traveling internationally. If these individuals catch measles, their healthcare provider can give them immune globulin (IG), a serum made from donated blood from vaccinated people. The IG can help prevent measles or reduce symptoms. 

Check with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re vaccinated for measles. Your doctor or pharmacy can get you vaccinated or help you schedule vaccinations for your children. You can also visit austintexas.gov/immunizations to learn more about measles and the MMR vaccine.