Is this your child's symptom?
- Exposure (close contact) to person with confirmed measles.
- Your child has no symptoms of measles (rash, cough or fever).
Measles Exposure (Close Contact): Definition
Being near an infected person puts you at risk for getting measles. Examples of close contact are:
- Living in the same house. Household contacts have the highest risk of catching measles.
- For young children, being in the same childcare room or carpool.
- Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses.
- Face-to-face contact such as kissing or hugging.
- Being coughed or sneezed on.
- Having prolonged close conversation (within 6 feet) of an infected person.
- Caution: measles is one of the most contagious of all viruses. Even casual contact in the same school can put unvaccinated children at risk for infection.
Measles Transmission: How it Spreads
- Cause: measles is caused by the Measles virus.
- Spread: measles is a very contagious virus. Reason: It is spread by tiny airborne particles that carry the virus and can float in the air. These can remain in a closed area for up to 2 hours after the person with measles has left.
- Also, respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing on other people can spread the virus. They can cause disease by getting in the eyes, nose or mouth.
- Incubation period: 10 to 12 days to onset of respiratory symptoms. Another 2 to 4 days to onset of the measles rash. Average time from exposure to rash is 14 days (range: 7 to 21 days).
- Contagious period: from 4 days before until 4 days after the start of the rash.
- Attack rate: the chance of getting measles after exposure is over 90% in unvaccinated persons
Measles (MMR) Vaccine: Age When Normally Given (AAP)
- All children need to get their measles vaccines.
- Children normally get their first vaccine at age 12 months. This gives 95% protection.
- Children normally get their second vaccine (booster) at age 4 years. This gives 99% protection.
- Protection against measles infections is permanent and lifelong.
Measles Symptoms
- Measles starts with red eyes, runny nose, cough and fever. Respiratory symptoms continue for 2 to 5 days before the onset of the measles rash.
- Koplik spots are tiny white specks on the lining of the mouth (inner cheeks). They appear 1 to 2 days before the onset of the rash. These are only seen with measles but can be difficulty to see.
- The measles rash starts on day 2 to 5 of the illness. It's a blotchy red rash that starts on the face. The rash spreads downward to involve the entire body over the next 3 days. The rash is deep red. The rash is usually gone by 7 days.
When to Call for Measles Exposure
Call 911 Now
Go to ER Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call 911 Now
- Severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath; can barely speak or cry)
Go to ER Now
- Difficult to awaken or confused when awake
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Trouble breathing, but not severe
- Severe headache
- Your child looks or acts very sick
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Age less than 12 months, exposed to measles within last 6 days, and never received measles (MMR) vaccine or had measles disease. Reason: vaccine can protect
- Age 12 months or older, exposed to measles within last 72 hours and never received measles (MMR) vaccine or had measles disease. Reason: vaccine can protect
- High-risk patient (such as pregnant, weak immune system), exposure to measles within last 6 days, and never received measles (MMR) vaccine or had measles disease. Reason: vaccine can protect.
- You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Measles exposure, never received measles (MMR) vaccine or had measles disease and NO symptoms. Reason: vaccine is needed
- Widespread local community outbreak of measles, child 6 - 11 months old, but NO known exposure yet. Reason: high risk age and vaccine could protect.
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Exposed to measles over 21 days ago and NO measles symptoms. Reason: no longer at risk for infection.
- Measles exposure, but has already received measles (MMR) vaccine or had measles disease, and NO symptoms
- Measles exposure (close contact) – how to protect others
Care Advice for Measles Exposure
Treatment for Close Contacts Without Symptoms
What You Should Know About Measles Exposure:
- Your child has been exposed to the measles virus.
- What you need to do depends on if your child has had measles vaccines or infection before.
- Keeping your child's vaccines up-to-date always gives your child the best protection.
- In any case, try to avoid further exposure to people with measles.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
If No Prior Measles Vaccines or Infection, You Need the Vaccine for Protection
- Your child has a high risk of getting measles in the next 10 to 12 days.
- For protection from this infection, your child needs a measles vaccine as soon as possible. Call for a vaccine appointment now.
- The vaccine is 90% protective if given within 3 days of exposure.
- After 3 days of exposure, the vaccine is not helpful in preventing the disease from this specific exposure.
If Had Only One Measles Vaccine, You Need a Booster Vaccine
- One measles (MMR) vaccine gives 95% of children protection against measles.
- If that is the case, get a MMR vaccine booster as soon as possible.
- Call now for a vaccine appointment.
If Had Measles Vaccine Twice in the Past, You Should be Protected
- Since your child's measles (MMR) vaccines are up-to-date, your child is 99% protected against getting measles.
- That means they have less than a 1% chance of getting measles.
- If that happens, the symptoms would be much milder than regular measles.
- You do not need to see your doctor.
If Had Measles Infection in the Past, You Should be Protected
- Since you are certain that your child has had measles before, that means they are immune to measles.
- Protection is lifelong.
- Children do not get measles a second time.
- You do not need to see your doctor.
If You are Not Vaccinated, Isolation is Needed for Known Measles Exposures:
- Measles is extremely contagious.
- If your child is unvaccinated, Isolate your child at home until 21 days has passed since the exposure.
- DO NOT allow any visitors.
- DO NOT send your child to school, childcare, or other public places.
- Avoid close contact with others (hugging, kissing).
- If you go to an ER or other medical facility, stay in the car until medical staff brings you a mask and escorts you in.
- Because measles is so contagious, someone from the public health department may also contact you.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Fever occurs
- Rash occurs
- Other symptoms of measles occur (such as cough)
- You think your child needs to be seen
- You have other questions or concerns
