Measles

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is effective. Two doses provide 97% protection against measles. 
Measles is a highly contagious disease. It spreads when someone infected speaks, coughs, sneezes, or breathes. It can linger in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left.  
Unvaccinated people are at high risk. Roughly 90% of those unvaccinated and exposed to measles will contract the disease. 
Vitamin A cannot prevent measles. Larger doses of vitamin A given over prolonged periods are very dangerous and can lead to vomiting, blurry vision, headaches, and, when more severe, liver damage and coma. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional vitamin A.

Measles is a serious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes) that causes a rash and fever. It is very contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles.

Symptoms

The symptoms of measles generally appear 7-14 days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with:

High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
Cough
Runny nose (coryza)
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

2-3 days after symptoms begin:

Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth

3-5 days after symptoms begin:

A rash breaks out – It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet
Small raised bumps may appear on top of the flat red spots
Spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body
When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit

Among people who are susceptible, 9 out of 10 will develop measles when exposed to the virus. About 3 out of 10 people who get measles will develop one or more complications, including pneumonia, ear infections, or diarrhea. Complications are more common in older adults and young children. Measles can be serious, especially for children younger than five years of age. It can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. The best protection against measles is vaccination.

Measles Vaccination

Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. In the United States, widespread use of the measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the pre-vaccine era. Vaccination recommendations are as follows:

Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12–15 months of age and the second dose at 4–6 years of age. The second dose can be received earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
Students at post-high school educational institutions who do not have evidence of immunity against measles need two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
Adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles:
- Born Before 1959: You didn’t get a vaccine and do not need one due to presumptive immunity.
- Born Between 1959 and 1963: No MMR vaccine was available. But you still need to be vaccinated.
- Born Between 1963 and 1989: Vaccines were available, and you most likely got one dose. You don’t need another dose unless you got the inactivated vaccine OR you are high risk.
- After 1989: You likely got two doses.
International travelers who are six months of age and older should be protected against measles. Prior to any international travel, infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Infants who get one dose before their first birthday should get two more doses (one dose at 12 – 15 months and another dose at least 28 days later). Children 12 months of age and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days. Teenagers and adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
Healthcare personnel should have documented evidence of immunity against measles. Healthcare personnel without evidence of immunity should get two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.