Measles: What you need to know

Measles cases have been reported recently in several states. Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can lead to serious illness. Vaccination is an important way to protect your health and the well-being of your community.

Getting a measles vaccine at Kaiser Permanente

The MMR vaccine — which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella — has an excellent safety record. Most people are already vaccinated, and hundreds of millions of children have safely received the vaccine worldwide. And once vaccinated with MMR, most people will be protected for life. If you haven’t been vaccinated, schedule an appointment on kp.org.

Who should get vaccinated

Kaiser Permanente follows recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the MMR vaccine.

Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine:
- The first dose between 12 and 15 months
- The second dose between 4 and 6 years
Adults not at high risk of exposure should have at least 1 dose of MMR in their lifetime, or other evidence of immunity (such as a blood test).
Adults at high exposure risk, including students at post-high school educational settings, health care workers, and international travelers, should have 2 doses in their lifetime.
Adults born before 1957 don’t need to be vaccinated. They’re believed to be immune because measles cases were common then.

Nurse putting a bandage on a child’s upper arm

How vaccines work

Vaccines teach your immune system how to fight specific viruses. They imitate the virus so your immune system can learn to protect itself. Once your body knows how to protect itself, it can fight off the real virus faster and more effectively. This means you’ll be much less likely to get sick from that virus. And if you do get sick, your symptoms will be much milder than if you hadn’t been vaccinated.

Nurse putting a bandage on a patient’s arm

Most vaccines are given as a shot. Some are a single dose. Others need repeated doses over time. This helps you build up immunity — protecting you now and in the future.

Your immune system gets stronger as it learns how to fight a virus. Vaccines won’t cause infections, but some people may have minor side effects for a few days after.

Getting vaccinated protects you and those around you. When many people get vaccinated against an illness, it may become less common, so everyone is less likely to get sick.

Common questions

Early symptoms of measles may include a high fever, runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, and cough. The lymph nodes in your neck may swell. You also may feel very tired, have diarrhea, and red, sore eyes. As these symptoms start to go away, you'll get tiny white spots inside your mouth, followed by a rash all over your body. When adults get measles, they usually feel worse than children who get it. It usually takes about 7 to 14 days to develop symptoms after you have been around someone who has measles.

If you think you or your child has measles, stay away from others. Measles is extremely infectious. You can talk to an advice nurse to explain your symptoms before you go to a clinic or hospital.

There is no treatment for measles. Claims that cod liver oil or vitamin A are effective for preventing or treating measles aren't supported by research evidence. Antibiotics and antiviral medicine also don't help. Fortunately, most people with measles are able to be cared for at home. Home care includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain. It's dangerous to give aspirin to children.

Yes, the MMR vaccine is effective. According to the CDC, 2 doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, while 1 dose is about 93% effective.