Measles Resources
What is Measles?
Measles is a disease caused by the measles virus. Measles can be dangerous, especially for infants and young children.
One out of every four people who get measles in the United States will be hospitalized. One or two out of every 1,000 children in the United States who get measles will die from the disease, even with the best care.
Measles can cause serious health problems, such as:
- Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.
- Brain damage caused by swelling.
- Deafness.
A vaccine can prevent measles
You can protect yourself and the people around you from measles. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Two doses of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. The vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Most people born before 1957 were exposed to at least two major measles outbreaks and are considered immune. You are considered immune to measles if you have had measles illness in the past or if a laboratory test has confirmed your immunity.
- If you cannot find any vaccination records for Measles (also known as Rubeola), you should get 1 MMR vaccination.
- If you were vaccinated for Measles or Rubeola between 1963-1968, you may need another MMR shot for full protection.
- If you were vaccinated for Measles or Rubeola after 1968, you are considered immune.
Only these individuals need 2 MMR vaccinations.
- Adults about to travel overseas or internationally.
- College students
- Anyone living in a neighborhood or community now experiencing a measles outbreak and is not immunized.
- Health Care workers
How it Spreads
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. The virus easily spreads from person to person. It can spread through coughing and sneezing. People who are infected can spread measles to others four days before, and up to four days after, the rash appears. The measles virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes.
You can get measles by breathing contaminated air or touching an infected surface, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. That means you can catch measles nearly anywhere, such as the grocery store, movie theaters, or on a bus or plane. A vaccine is your best protection.
External Resources
Looking for more information on measles? We encourage you to use the following websites.
