Measles is serious
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.
Call your health care provider immediately — do not visit — if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles. Going into a hospital with measles could get many other people sick.
3 important things about measles and MMR vaccine
- The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is the best protection against measles. Make sure you and your children have received the MMR vaccine. Check your vaccine record on the Docket app or call the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection at 651-201-5414.
- Everyone should get the MMR vaccine. If you're pregnant or your child is under the age of 1, talk to your doctor. To get the MMR vaccine, call your health care provider or 651-201-5414.
- Stay home if you are sick. If you think you have measles or have been exposed, call your health care provider or 651-201-5414.
How measles spreads
Measles is a highly spreadable virus that lives in the nose and throat of someone who is sick. Measles can spread to others through coughing and sneezing.
If you are near someone with measles and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you can become sick.
Animals do not get or spread measles.
Measles spreads to other people very fast
Measles is so spreadable that if one person has it, almost everyone around them, who are not immune, will also become sick.
People with measles can spread it to others from four days before their measles rash up to four days after their rash.
Signs of measles show up 7–14 days after infection
Measles isn't just a rash. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.
Measles signs and symptoms are:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Cough
- Runny nose (coryza)
- Red, watery eyes
2–3 days after symptoms begin: Tiny white spots in mouth (Koplik spots)
- Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth 2–3 days after symptoms begin.
3–5 days after symptoms begin: Measles rash
- The rash begins as red spots on the face near the hairline.
- The rash spreads down to the neck, body, arms, legs and feet.
- Small bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
- The spots may join together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
- When the rash appears, a person's fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
There is no treatment for measles
People with measles need bed rest, fluids and to control their fever. They may also need treatment for things such as diarrhea, ear infection or pneumonia.
More information about measles
If you want to learn more about measles, visit these online resources: