Measles
Measles
Measles is a disease caused by the measles virus. Measles symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. After these first symptoms, a rash begins to appear. Measles rash often starts as flat red spots (lesions) on the face near the hairline. The rash then spreads to the rest of the body (neck, chest, belly, arms, legs, and feet). Raised bumps may form, and the spots may become one connected rash. Most people with measles also develop Koplik spots, or blue-white spots on the soft part of the inside of the mouth. Measles can cause complications such as pneumonia and ear infection.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, which creates small droplets that contain the bacteria. Other people can become infected if they breathe in those droplets. Measles is highly infectious—9 out of 10 people exposed to measles will likely become infected if they are not immune either from vaccination or a previous infection. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. Two doses of MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent measles infection and illness.
Information for the general public
- Fact sheet
- Frequently asked questions about measles / measles outbreaks
- Frequently asked questions about measles immunity
Information for public health departments
- Case report form
- Disease plan
- IBIS indicator report: Measles infections
- Manual for the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases
- The Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Pink Book)
- CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel
Information for clinicians
- Recognizing measles in healthcare clinics
- Measles clinician guidance
- Measles specimen collection and transport guide (Electronic copy)
- Measles specimen collection and transport guide (Printable copy)
- Vaccine-preventable disease testing guide for medical providers