Measles
A highly contagious viral respiratory illness
Overview
Measles isn’t just a little rash. It’s a highly contagious viral respiratory illness that can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Each year around the world, an estimated 10 million people get measles, and about 110,000 of them die from it.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after infection, starting with a high fever (which can exceed 104°F), cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. After 2-3 days, small white spots (Koplik spots) may develop inside the mouth. A red, blotchy rash typically appears 3-5 days later, spreading across most of the body. If you think you or someone in your family might have measles, call your health care provider or your local public health center immediately.
Treatment
While measles typically clears up in about 4-6 days, it can cause serious health complications, especially in young children. Call your healthcare provider right away if you think you or your child may have measles to prevent further spread of the virus and receive care quickly.
Prevention
To prevent the spread of measles and protect individuals, it is very important to stay up to date on vaccinations. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is highly effective and safe.
- Because the measles vaccine is long-lasting and effective, booster shots are not needed for adults who were vaccinated as children. However, there may be some special situations where re-vaccination is needed.
- Children need two doses of MMR vaccine for best protection:
- The first dose at 12 through 15 months of age
- The second dose at 4 through 6 years of age
Reporting
Health care providers and laboratories are required to report measles immediately.
Learn more about reportable conditionsResources
CDC Measles Resources
Visit this CDC webpage to learn more: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know.
Measles Surveillance
View the latest U.S. surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).View the latest global surveillance data from the World Health Organization (WHO).Get information and resources for measles and the vaccine used to prevent it from the CDC.