Measles Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, usually administered as the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.

• Two doses of the MMR vaccine prevents 97 percent of measles infections.
• The vaccine protects both children and adults from serious complications.

Almost everyone without immunity will get measles if exposed to the virus. Once infected, there is no specific treatment to cure measles.

The MMR vaccine is not recommended for the following people:

• People who have had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose or to a vaccine component 
• People who have a known severe immunodeficiency 
• Pregnant women

More information about measles vaccine is available on the DSHS website.

Vitamin A cannot prevent measles. Vitamin A may be useful as a supplemental treatment once someone has a measles infection, especially if they have a severe case of measles or low vitamin A levels and are under the care of a doctor.

Most people get enough vitamin A in their diet from foods like carrots, bell peppers, fish, broccoli, yogurt, and chicken. However, some people may need a supplement. Because vitamin A builds up in the body over time, there is a risk of vitamin toxicity with taking too much supplemental vitamin A. For example, during pregnancy, vitamin A toxicity can cause birth defects, so it is important to talk to your doctor before taking additional vitamin A.

The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated with two doses of measles vaccine. This is primarily administered as part of the MMR vaccine.

You can obtain vaccination records from your doctor’s office or local health department. School nurses can also obtain vaccination records for school-aged children.

A doctor or health care provider can test for measles with a throat or nasal swab.

• Call your doctor before going in—they need to prepare so you or your child don’t expose others. It is important to let the provider know that the patient may have measles.
• Isolate and avoid contact with:
  • o Infants
  • o Pregnant women
  • o People with weak immune systems
• If you are not immune, your doctor may recommend:
  • o The MMR vaccine or
  • o A medicine called immune globulin to reduce risk.
• If you do not get the vaccine, avoid places with high-risk people (schools, hospitals, child care centers) until your health care provider says it’s safe.

• Stay home for four days after the rash appears.
• Avoid contact with others to prevent spreading the virus.
• Ask your health care provider when it is safe to be around other people.

How to stop the spread:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in the trash can. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Don’t share drinks or eating utensils.
• Disinfect surfaces like toys, doorknobs, tables, and counters. Standard household disinfectants will readily kill the measles virus.

Rarely, vaccinated people can still get measles, but their symptoms are milder, and they are less likely to spread it.

No! DSHS strongly advises against intentionally exposing anyone to infectious diseases like measles.

• Measles can cause severe complications and death, even in otherwise healthy people.
• You can’t predict how severe the symptoms will be.
• Exposing kids on purpose puts others at risk—especially the unvaccinated and people with weakened immune systems.
• Vaccination is the safest way to protect children against measles.

Common complications include:

• Diarrhea
• Ear infections (otitis media)
• Lung infection (pneumonia)
• Brain swelling (encephalitis)
• Rare but fatal brain disease (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis)
• Death

These complications are most common among children younger than 5 and adults.