Measles

 
 
 
 
 
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What you need to know

What you need to know

​​​​Measles is a disease caused by a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. It can easily spread to others through coughing and sneezing and can live in an airspace for up to two hours after a person with measles has occupied the area. 

The average incubation period for measles is approximately 10 to 12 days but can range from 7 to 21 days. People with measles are usually considered infectious from 4 days before rash onset to 4 days after rash onset. 

Measles can cause severe complications. About 1 in 5 people in the U. S. who get measles will be hospitalized, 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling called encephalitis, which can lead to brain damage, and 1 to 3 out of 1,000 children with measles will die even with good medical care. Ninety percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become sick.​

Frequently Asked Questions​

Are there any risk factors for measles?

When considering a measles diagnosis in patients, healthcare providers will ask about these three risk factors for contracting measles:

  • Vaccination status (documentation of two age-appropriate doses)
  • Travel within the past month, especially to any states or countries that are currently experiencing outbreaks o Case counts for measles cases in the United States can be found here (updated weekly)
    • CDC Travel notices for countries experiencing measles outbreaks can be found on this website​ by entering “Measles" in the search bar
  • Contact with any individuals experiencing symptoms within the past month 

Why have there been more measles cases in the U.S. in recent years? 

Experts say that an increase in measles cases in recent years might be due to:

  • An increased number of cases of measles in countries to which Americans often travel, raising the chance for the importation of the disease into the United States.
  • The spread of measles in U.S. communities where pockets of unvaccinated people live 

If my chance of getting the disease is low, why do I need to get myself or my child vaccinated? 

It is true that vaccination has reduced measles and most other vaccine-preventable diseases to very low levels in the United States. However, measles is still very common—even at epidemic levels—in other parts of the world. Visitors to the U.S. and unvaccinated U.S. travelers returning from other countries can unknowingly bring (import) measles into the United States. The measles virus is very contagious and can live for up to two hours on a surface or in an airspace where an infected person coughed or sneezed. Nine out of 10 individuals who are not immune to the disease will become infected with measles should they come in contact with a person who is ill. Thus, even one case of measles can cause the disease to spread very quickly if many people are unvaccinated or not immune.

About one in five unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles is hospitalized. To protect your children, yourself, those who cannot medically be vaccinated, and others in the community, it is important to be vaccinated against measles. You may think your chance of getting measles is small, but the disease still exists and can still infect anyone who is not protected. Because some children are too young to be immunized, it's important that those around them are vaccinated to protect them. Individuals born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles. 

How effective is the measles vaccine? 

Measles vaccine is given as a combination vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The measles component of this vaccine protects about 93% of people from infection after the first dose. Approximately 97% of people with two doses develop immunity.

Children are routinely vaccinated for measles at 12-15 months, and again at 4-6 years of age before going to kindergarten, but children as young as 6 months old can receive the measles vaccine if they are at risk. 

Can I still get measles if I am completely vaccinated? 

Very few people—about 3 out of 100—who get two doses of measles vaccine will still get measles if exposed to the virus. Experts aren't sure why; it could be that their immune systems didn't respond as well as they should have to the vaccine. But the good news is that fully vaccinated people who get measles are much more likely to have mild illness and less likely to spread the disease to other people, including people who can't get vaccinated because they are too young or have weakened immune systems. 

Do I ever need a booster vaccine if I had two doses as a child? 

No. People who received two doses of measles vaccine as children, and the doses were given according to the U.S. vaccination schedule, are considered protected for life and do not ever need a booster dose. Anyone who was born before 1957 or has laboratory evidence of immunity is also considered immune and do not need an MMR booster. Anyone who has zero or one dose of MMR needs to talk to their provider about getting one or two doses of MMR. 

I'm an adult and I am unsure about my immune status. What should I do to make sure I'm protected? 

If you're unsure whether you're immune to measles, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. If you were not vaccinated in Nebraska, or you cannot find your information in the immunization registry, try contacting your previous health care providers, the high school(s) you attended, colleges/university health or housing services where you were a student, or family members to see if you can acquire your records through those sources. If you do not have written documentation of measles immunity, you should get vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Another option is to have a doctor test your blood to determine whether you're immune, but this option is likely to cost more and may take two doctor's visits. There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella).

What are the school vaccination requirements for measles in Nebraska? 

Children in childcare must have the age-appropriate doses of measles vaccine. Children entering kindergarten through twelfth grade must have two appropriately given doses of MMR vaccine. Students entering college/university must have two appropriately given doses of MMR vaccine. Nebraska does allow religious and medical exemptions to this school vaccination law. 

Will my insurance cover the measles vaccine? 

Some insurance companies cover all vaccinations under preventive care; however you will need to discuss with your doctor and your insurance company whether your vaccination will be covered. If you are uninsured, contact your local health department to check if there are resources in your area that may allow you to get vaccinated in a cost-effective manner. 

Why do I have to wait until my child is 1 year old to get him or her vaccinated against measles? 

Most infants born in the U.S. will receive passive protection against measles, mumps, and rubella in the form of antibodies from their mothers for approximately six months and sometimes longer after they are born. These antibodies can destroy the vaccine virus if they are present when the vaccine is given and, thus, can cause the vaccine to be ineffective. By 12 months of age, almost all infants have lost this passive protection and should be able to develop an appropriate and long-lasting immune response to the vaccine. 

What are possible reactions to the vaccine? 

Most people have no reaction. However, 5-10% of the people receiving the MMR vaccine experience a low-grade fever and a mild rash. ​


Measles Resources

Vaccine information

General information: