Communicable Diseases and Epidemiology
Measles (Rubeola) fact sheet
Measles (also known as rubeola and “10-day”, “hard” and “red” measles) is a serious disease that causes fever, rash, and other complications. Measles is caused by a virus and spreads very easily from person to person. Do not confuse this illness with rubella which is sometimes called ‘German’ or ‘3-day’ measles.
- Symptoms start about 10 days after exposure and the illness lasts from 1 to 2 weeks.
- The illness starts with a runny nose, watery red eyes, cough, and high fever.
- In the first few days, tiny, white spots appear in the mouth.
- After 2 to 4 days, a raised, red rash starts on the face and spreads down the body and out to the arms and legs. The rash usually lasts 4 to 7 days and appears about 14 days after exposure.
- People with measles are contagious for 4 days and at least 4 days after the rash begins.
- Measles can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain which can lead to convulsions, deafness, or mental retardation) and rarely, death.
- Measles can cause miscarriages or premature delivery in pregnant women.
- Virus can be found in droplets and secretions from the nose and throat of a person with measles and contaminate objects that others may touch.
- Measles virus can also be spread through breathing the air where an infected person has been (for up to 2 hours after the infected person was present).
- Infants who are too young to have been immunized (less than 1 year of age).
- Those who have not received measles vaccine for any reason.
- Persons who were vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine that was available from 1963-1967, and have not been re-vaccinated.
- Persons who received immune globulin near the time that they were vaccinated against measles.
- Persons with weakened immune systems, infants, and pregnant women are at increased risk for severe measles.
- People born before 1957 are generally considered immune because they probably had the disease.
- Measles can be prevented through vaccination. Washington State requires that all children have a record of immunization against measles for entry into school or a child day care center or preschool.
- The measles vaccine is combined with the vaccines for mumps and rubella and is known as the MMR vaccine.
- Measles vaccine is given to children when they are 12 to 15 months of age. A second MMR is required for entry into kindergarten or 6th grade (depending on year of birth).
- People who have measles should limit their contact with others until at least 4 full days have passed since the time the rash first appeared.
- People exposed to someone who have measles should consult their health care provider immediately. If they have not been vaccinated, measles vaccine can help prevent infection if it is given within three days of exposure.
- Immune globulin may help prevent infection for those who cannot receive vaccine when given within six days of exposure.
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Plain Talk About Child Immunizations
Facts about  childhood immunization; vaccine preventable disease, vaccine safety, the immune system and how vaccines work, legal requirements, and more.
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