Measles

What is measles?

Measles is a contagious respiratory infection that is caused by a virus. Measles can be serious, especially for young children.

What causes measles?

Measles is caused by a virus that spreads through droplets in the air. It is very contagious, meaning that it can spread from one person to another very easily. If your child has not received a measles vaccine, they are at a much higher risk of getting the disease.

How does measles spread?

Measles spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. A person who has not received a measles vaccine can catch the virus from an infected person even in large spaces, like gyms, grocery stores, movie theaters and schools. The virus can live on surfaces and in the air for up to 2 hours.

People who have measles can spread the virus to others starting 4 days before they have a rash and for 4 days after the rash appears.

How can we prevent measles? 

The only way you can protect your child against measles is by getting them the vaccine that protects them against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective.

Children need to get two doses:

1. The first dose when they are between 12 and 15 months old.
2. The second dose before entering school, between 4 and 6 years old.

If you are travelling to an area where there is an ongoing measles outbreak, you should talk to your doctor about starting the vaccine series earlier for babies between 6 and 11 months old.

Your child’s doctor may offer the MMRV vaccine, which also includes protection against varicella (chickenpox). Children between 12 months and 12 years old can get the MMRV vaccine. This vaccine can be used in place of the MMR vaccine if a child needs to have a varicella vaccine along with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. Your child’s doctor can help you decide which vaccine to use.

Does vitamin A help prevent measles?

No, there is no evidence to suggest that vitamin A helps prevent measles. Some have shared information that says vitamin A can help prevent measles. However, further research has helped us learn more about the effect of vitamin A on measles, including:

• Vitamin A does not prevent measles and is not a substitute for vaccination.
• Vitamin A  has been found to reduce the risk of death in children who contract measles and are living in areas with high rates of vitamin A deficiency. In the U.S., the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency is very low.
• Overuse of vitamin A can lead to toxicity and cause damage to the liver, bones, central nervous system and skin.

How effective is the measles vaccine?

Most people who get measles have not had the measles vaccine. Unvaccinated people have about a 90% chance of getting the virus if they come in contact with an infected person. The chance of a vaccinated person getting the virus is less than 3%.

How do we keep from spreading measles?

Isolating an infected person is the best way to prevent them from spreading measles. Since measles is spread through the air, wearing a mask when near a person with measles will provide some protection, but vaccination is the best way to protect yourself.

What are the signs and symptoms of measles?

Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough and red eyes. Sometimes, kids may have a sore throat or sensitivity to light. A rash usually follows these first symptoms and starts on the face before spreading downward all over the body.

How do we diagnose measles?

We diagnose measles by testing samples from a child's nose or throat, or in some cases by doing a blood test.

What can I expect from measles testing?

We typically test for measles by doing a nose swab. It can be uncomfortable briefly, but we do it quickly and our providers are pediatric-trained and use techniques that make the test very easy for children. Your child’s nurse or doctor may also request a blood test. Being a children's hospital, we also have methods to make this as painless and easy for children as possible. Results from both tests will be available in 1 to 3 days and we can get test results for more urgent cases faster.

How to treat measles at home

Because measles is a virus, antibiotics don’t work. Most kids have symptoms for 2 to 3 weeks. No medicine treats measles or helps kids get better faster.

Monitoring your child’s symptoms and keeping them hydrated while they recover are the most important things to do. It’s important to keep them isolated while they recover and wear proper safety equipment such as a mask and gloves to minimize the spread of the disease.
 
If you are concerned about your child’s condition, you can call their pediatrician or the Children’s Colorado nurse advice line. If your child has been diagnosed with measles and you seek care at the hospital, it is important to notify the hospital that you are coming so we can give you special instructions for when you arrive.

Learn about treating symptoms like a cough or fever. 

How do we treat measles at the hospital

At our hospital, when we think that a child has or is diagnosed with measles, they are put in N95/PAPR Airborne Isolation during their stay in the hospital. This means that children are isolated in a special room with specific instructions — we make sure to keep the door closed and staff going in the room wear a special mask, gown and gloves. It’s important that the family follow the instructions on the N95/PAPR Isolation sign on the door.

You’ll get a separate education sheet about isolation precautions. Please ask your child’s caregivers if you have any questions about how to follow the precautions.

Your child can leave isolation if:

• Their doctor determines your child doesn’t have measles.
• Your child is no longer contagious (cannot spread measles to others).

Do antibiotics treat measles?

Antibiotics can kill bacteria, but not viruses. No evidence supports the routine use of antibiotics or steroids for treating measles.

Leaving your child’s room

While we are waiting for your test results, you will need to stay in your child’s room. You can only leave the room to go to and from the hospital and you need to wear a medical mask that covers your nose and mouth.

Remember to take a few masks home with you to put on if you come back to the hospital. Wear the mask until you get into your child’s room. You can’t visit other parts of the hospital. You can stop wearing the mask outside your child’s room only if the hospital staff tells you that it’s safe to do so.

Health department notification

The Epidemiology Department at Children’s Hospital Colorado will call the appropriate health department and tell them that we think your child may have measles. They may call and ask you more questions about your recent travels, and other sick people you know.

Helpful resources 

Healthy Children is a parenting website created by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to child health.