Henry County Health Department

Let’s talk about Measles.

 

  • Measles is very contagious and can be serious.

  • Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.

  • Two doses of MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles.

Healthcare Providers

Click here for healthcare provider resources on how to handle measles.

Exposed?

Click here to read more about what to do if you are exposed to measles.

What is Measles?

 

Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clear up in a few days. But measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old.

The best protection against measles is measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.

Measles is caused by a virus and spreads very easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles spreads so easily that anyone who is exposed and not immune (either by being immunized or having had measles in the past) will likely get it.  

If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.

Henry County residents who are not vaccinated, or are unsure if they are vaccinated against measles, should talk to their healthcare provider about vaccination.

What are the symptoms of Measles?

  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Pink eye (red, watery eyes)
  • Rash all over the body starting on

People can spread before they show symptoms. Symptoms usually last 7-10 days.

Measles is diagnosed by a combination of the patient’s symptoms and by laboratory tests.

It takes an average of 10–12 days from exposure to the first symptom, which is usually fever.
The measles rash doesn’t usually appear until approximately 14 days after exposure, 2–3 days
after the fever begins.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is very safe, effective and the best protection
against measles. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
One dose is about 93% effective.

Measles can be a serious disease, with 30% of reported cases experiencing one or more
complications. Death from measles occurs in 2 to 3 per 1,000 reported cases in the United
States. Complications from measles are more common among very young children (younger
than five years), adults (older than 20 years), pregnant people, and people with weakened
immune systems.

Diarrhea is the most common complication of measles (occurring in 8% of cases), especially in
young children. Ear infections occur in 7% of reported cases. Pneumonia, occurring in 6% of
reported cases, accounts for 60% of measles-related deaths. About 1 out of 1,000 cases will
develop acute encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. This serious complication can lead to
permanent brain damage. Measles during pregnancy increases the risk of premature labor,
miscarriage, and low-birth-weight infants, although birth defects have not been linked to
measles exposure.

Pregnant people should not get the MMR vaccine. Pregnant people who need the vaccine
should wait until after giving birth. People should avoid getting pregnant for four weeks after
getting the MMR vaccine.

Research has shown that the MMR vaccine is safe and very effective. Getting vaccinated is

much safer than getting any of the diseases the vaccine protects against.

 

Isolation separates people who are sick with a contagious disease from people who are not sick
to prevent further spread of disease. People who have measles infection, or who are suspected
of having measles infection, must be isolated until 4 days after their rash appeared to prevent
infecting other people. Isolation is an important part of stopping measles spreading in the
community, especially to high-risk people.

Quarantine means staying at home and away from daycare/school/work, group and social
activities, sports and recreation events and public places like cinemas and shopping malls.
Quarantine separates people who were exposed to a contagious disease and are in the time
period where they could still get sick from it. People who were exposed to measles may spread
measles to others even before they have symptoms themselves. Quarantine helps prevent
measles from spreading in the community. For measles, quarantine is 21 – 28 days from
exposure to a person with measles.

No.

Children should routinely receive two doses of MMR:

  • first dose at age 12 through 15 months and
  • the second dose at 4-6 years of age or at least 28 days following the first dose.

Adults born in 1957 or later, who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine. These adults only need a second dose if they fall into one of the groups below:

  • Traveling internationally or within the United States with active community-wide transmission •  College student
  • Healthcare worker

Adults born before 1957 have presumptive immunity, meaning they likely had measles or were exposed as a child, therefore, MMR vaccination is not recommended (unless they are a healthcare worker). Theseadults should contact their physician if they are unsure if they had measles as a child, or  they have questions about whether they should get one dose of the MMR vaccine.

Travelers – People 6 months of age or older who will be traveling internationally or within the UnitedStates to areas with an active, ongoing measles outbreak should be protected against measles. If you have travel plans and questions, you may contact Henry County Health Department at 419-599-5545 and ask to speak to a public health nurse about travel vaccines.

 

An early dose of MMR vaccine for infants aged 6-11 months who live in or are traveling to an outbreak area (internationally and within the U.S) should receive one dose of the MMR vaccine, as infants younger than 12 months of age are at greatest risk of severe illness.

Infants who receive one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should receive two more doses according to the routinely recommended schedule.

There is no specific treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest, fluids, and control of fever. Patients with complications may need treatment specific to their problem.

There is no specific treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest, fluids, and control of fever. Patients with complications may need treatment specific to their problem.

Read our full FAQ below:

HCHD Measles FAQDownload
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