Are You Sick?

Measles Exposure

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.
  • 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 can put unvaccinated people 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 

  • Children normally get their first vaccine at age 12 months. This gives 93% protection.
  • Children normally get their second vaccine (booster) at age 4 years. This gives 99% protection.
  • Protection against measles infections is permanent and lifelong.
  • Adults should have received two doses of measles vaccine as a child
  • If you are unsure, it is safe to get the MMR vaccine again.
  • Pregnant women and those with severe immune suppression should NOT get the Measles vaccine because it is a live, attenuated vaccine.

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 difficult 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.