Measles

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can pose a serious health threat to those who are not immune, adults and children alike. The best protection against measles is vaccination. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 93% effective after 1 dose and 97% effective after the recommended 2 doses.

The University of Kansas Health System is part of an academic medical center that conducts ongoing research, including studies on contagious illnesses. We are committed to providing the best preventive care and treatment to our patients.

Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces.

The measles virus can survive in the air up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves the area. Nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals will contract measles if exposed.

There is no known treatment for measles. However, the disease is effectively prevented through vaccination. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective at providing lifelong protection against measles.

Measles can cause serious health complications in those who are unvaccinated, including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis) and death.

Symptoms typically appear 10-14 days after exposure to the measles virus and may include:

• Fever, cough and runny nose
• Conjunctivitis (red, inflamed, watery eyes)
• Koplik spots (small white spots inside the mouth that appear 2-3 days after symptoms begin)
• Rash, which may be flat or raised and is usually not itchy, beginning at the head and spreading downward to the hands and feet

A person with measles can infect others even before knowing they have the disease. Measles is contagious from 4 days before rash onset to 4 days after the rash appears.

If you’ve received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine – or had measles before the introduction of the vaccine in 1963 – you are considered immune and are unlikely to develop measles. The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination.

If you suspect you or your child has measles, contact your primary care doctor’s office. Your care team will ask about your symptoms and may schedule an appointment, potentially via telehealth. To avoid risk to others, you may be met outside and given a mask before entering any medical facility.

If you are uncertain whether you’ve been vaccinated, check your immunization records or documentation of measles immunity. Current health system patients can view or download their immunization records via MyChart.

There is no known treatment or cure for measles. The best way to protect against measles is the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective at preventing measles after the recommended 2 doses. If you contract measles, rest, stay hydrated and manage symptoms with over-the-counter medication as needed. Isolate immediately. Only leave home to seek urgent medical care. If you must do so, please wear a mask, and alert the medical provider you may have measles ahead of time if possible. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Severe dehydration
• High, persistent fever
• Neurological symptoms such as confusion, severe headache or seizures
• Severe, painful cough or bloody mucus

Our infectious disease specialists are committed to preventing the spread of complex or serious infections. We care for people throughout the region and perform leading-edge research to develop new, more effective treatments for dangerous infections. Our physicians treat people with a variety of serious infections and contagious illnesses, including measles.

Learn more about our infectious disease specialists or call 913-588-1227 to schedule an appointment.

The following sources provide helpful measles information and answers to frequently asked questions:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
• Measles vaccine recommendations