Measles (Rubeola) is an extremely contagious disease that can cause death or lead to serious long-term health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age.
Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. The first symptom is a high fever (which may spike to more than 104°F), with dry cough, runny nose (coryza), and red, watery and swollen eyes (conjunctivitis or pinkeye). The measles rash develops 3-5 days later. It starts on the head with red, flat or raised spots that spread down the body. It is generally not itchy.
Three groups of people are considered immune to measles: those who have had two documented doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in their lifetime, a prior lab-confirmed case of measles, or were born before 1957 (when measles was so common that everyone was considered exposed).
Titer checks on fully-vaccinated individuals is not clinically recommended. Here's why: Our immune systems have memory cells that allow antibodies to remain at low levels until they're needed. Low levels of MMR antibody titers do not mean low levels of protection against the measles. Exceptions apply to those who may be immunocompromised.
It depends. Here are the situations where an additional MMR dose is recommended:
No, you can't get measles again if you have had a prior, documented, lab-confirmed case.
For most people, the only way to prevent measles or reduce the severity of measles infection is to get the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine within 72 hours of the exposure. The MMR vaccine is available at all AHN primary care, pediatric and Express Care locations. The exception is that pregnant women and severely immunocompromised people cannot receive the MMR vaccine and can be referred by their doctor for a medicine called IVIG within 6 days of the exposure.
Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to receive the MMR vaccine. If your baby has been exposed to measles, contact your pediatrician, family physician or one of our AHN Express Care locations as soon as possible. A medicine called intramuscular immunoglobulin (IMIG) can be given to infants younger than 6 months within 6 days of the exposure to help prevent measles.
In areas where measles is spreading, new guidelines recommend that babies get an MMR vaccine starting at 6 months, (not the usual 12 months). Contact your family doctor or pediatrician for details.
