Measles Symptoms, Vaccination and Treatment

Measles ranks among the most easily transmissible diseases, leading to rapid outbreaks, especially in communities where vaccination rates are suboptimal.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the measles virus. It primarily affects the respiratory system, leading to a widespread rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. This disease spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making it one of the most easily transmitted diseases.

Measles is contagious before most people are aware they have it — increasing the risk of spread. An infected person can start spreading the virus four days before the characteristic rash appears. The contagious period continues until about four days after the rash has appeared.

Measles Symptoms

Recognizing the common symptoms of measles is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. The initial signs typically resemble those of a cold, including:

• High fever
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes
• Distinctive red rash, usually starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body

Severe and Rare Complications

Severe and rare complications from measles are a significant concern and underscore the importance of timely medical intervention and vaccination.

• Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, can occur in about one in every 1,000 cases of measles.
• Pneumonia.
• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal degenerative disease of the central nervous system that develops seven to 10 years after the person has measles, even though they seem to have fully recovered.
• Blindness can occur due to damage to the eyes, especially in vitamin A-deficient populations.

If you are exposed to measles, it is important to monitor for symptoms due to the incredibly contagious nature of the virus. Vaccination with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine significantly reduces your risk of contracting the virus. Infants, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems should seek medical advice immediately if exposed, as they may require additional intervention to prevent complications.

Measles Outbreaks and Cases

In recent years, measles outbreaks have resurfaced as a significant public health challenge, highlighting gaps in vaccination coverage and the vulnerability of certain populations. Historically, measles was a common childhood illness; however, with the advent and widespread adoption of the measles vaccine, the incidence of the disease dramatically decreased. Despite this success, current outbreaks often occur in regions where vaccination rates have declined due to vaccine hesitancy or access issues.

Prevention Through Vaccination

Vaccination remains the most effective strategy for preventing measles, and the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine is a critical component in this effort. The MMR vaccine is designed to protect against measles, mumps and rubella. Its widespread use has drastically reduced the incidence of these diseases globally. Achieving high vaccination coverage through the MMR vaccine is crucial, as it not only protects individuals who receive the vaccine but also provides herd immunity, helping to shield those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

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In rare cases, vaccinated individuals can still contract the disease. The MMR typically offers about 97% protection after two doses. Those who have been vaccinated and still contract measles tend to experience milder symptoms and have fewer severe complications.

Measles Immunity

You are immune to measles if you have documentation of any of the following: 

• You’ve received two doses of measles-containing vaccine.
• You’ve had a blood test that determines you have immunity.
• You’ve had a blood test that confirms you were exposed to measles.
• You were born before or around 1957.

Here are some tips to find your vaccination records. 

Measles Vaccinations

If you were born after 1957, and you do not have evidence of immunity against measles, you should get at least one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

If you don't have vaccination records, contact your primary care physician to ask for one dose of the MMR vaccine.

Because the MMR vaccine is a live vaccine, the following groups of patients should not get vaccinated.

• Those with severe life-threatening allergies
• Women who are pregnant (women should avoid getting pregnant for at least one month after getting the MMR vaccine)
• Those with immunosuppression, such as receiving chemotherapy or steroids, or those with advanced AIDS (note that HIV positive status alone is not a contraindication)
• Those with tuberculosis
• Those who’ve had a live vaccine in the past 4 weeks
• Those with certain precautions for vaccination: moderate or severe acute illness, recent receipt of antibody containing blood products, thrombocytopenia, personal or family history of seizures

Treating Measles

There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles, so treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms and monitoring for more serious complications. Suggested treatment includes a combination of rest, hydration and fever management, often using over-the-counter fever reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease discomfort. You may want to use humidifiers and nasal saline to relieve respiratory symptoms like cough and congestion.

If you are infected, you should avoid close contact with others, particularly those who are unvaccinated or have weakened immune systems, as measles is highly contagious. Stay home and refrain from going to work, school or crowded places until the risk of transmission has passed, typically about four days after the appearance of the rash. Stay hydrated, avoid rubbing or touching your eyes and follow your health care team’s instructions.