Measles
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Measles spreads very easily – it is five times more infectious than COVID-19. Measles can cause very serious illnesses like meningitis, sepsis and could result in permanent disabilities such as blindness. Many people who catch measles are likely to be hospitalised.
Find out more about the symptoms and how to protect your child against measles on the sections below:
What is measles?
Measles is a viral infection most commonly found in young children who have not been immunised. However, adults can also catch measles if they have not had it before or have not been immunised against it. People who have been vaccinated but have weakened immunity can also catch it.
What are the symptoms of measles?
It begins with fever that lasts for a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (red, sore eyes). The rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the upper body and then extends to the arms, hands, legs and feet. The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They're not usually itchy. The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin. After about 5 days the rash starts to fade.
The rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms.
How serious is measles?
Measles is an unpleasant illness and easily passed from one person to another. In some people it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and sepsis.
Measles is a notifiable disease which means health professionals must inform local health protection teams of all suspected cases.
How do you catch measles?
The measles virus lives in the nose and throat of infected people. Measles is caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when he or she coughs or sneezes. A person with measles can infect other people from the day before they become unwell until 4 days after the rash appears.
The measles virus is 5 times more infectious than COVID-19.
What is the incubation period?
The incubation period for measles averages 10 to 12 days from exposure to getting the early symptoms, and 14 days (range 7 to 21) from exposure to rash onset.
How is measles treated?
There is no specific treatment for measles, but measles can be prevented by a highly effective vaccine. This is part of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunisation programme, with a first dose at 12 to 15 months and a second dose at age 3 years and 4 months.
Who is at risk of complications?
Anyone can be susceptible to complications from measles.
Complications in children
Complications resulting from measles are more likely to develop in some children, for example:
- children with a weakened immune system, such as those with leukaemia or HIV/AIDS
- children with a poor diet
- children under the age of 5 years
1 in 5 measles cases may require a hospital visit, and 1 in 15 measles cases could cause complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis and blindness.
As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
Complications are also more likely to develop in adults who are over the age of 20.
Complications of measles include:
- pneumonia
- ear and eye infections
- croup (an infection of the lungs and throat)
What if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant?
If you are planning to get pregnant and you have not had measles yet, you should arrange with your GP to have the MMR vaccine. If you catch measles during pregnancy, it can be passed on to your baby and can be very damaging, or even fatal. Measles in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, premature labour or a baby with low birth weight. The MMR jab cannot be given during pregnancy.
What do you do if you think you or your child has measles?
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Stay away from school or nursery or work.
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Telephone your GP or call NHS 111. To prevent further spread of infection please do not visit the GP surgery or A&E in person unless advised to do so.
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People who have symptoms should also especially try to stay away from vulnerable people such as babies, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
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People who have symptoms of measles will be asked to stay away from work, school or nursery for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears.
For more information about when to stay off school and measles go to What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)
What if I have been exposed to a measles case?
Most older children and adults are immune to measles – either because they had measles as a child or because they have been vaccinated – and so are very unlikely to catch measles.
If you have weakened immunity (due to illness or medication) - you should contact your doctor straight away. The doctor will assess whether you are immune (that is, you have antibodies) to measles. If the exposure was within the past few days, your doctor may be able to organise treatment to prevent you becoming seriously ill.
Pregnant women - If you are pregnant and not sure of your immunity, please seek your doctor’s advice.
Children under one year - If you are a parents of an infant aged under one year who has been exposed to measles, you are advised to contact your doctor.
If you are well and not in the groups listed above, you don’t need to take urgent action. However, if you are unsure if you are protected from measles, check with your doctor.
If you become unwell and think it could be measles within 3 weeks of being exposed, you should see a doctor. You should ring the doctor or clinic before you attend so they can make sure you do not pass the disease to others in the waiting room.
People who have not been fully vaccinated with both doses of the MMR vaccine, and have been in close contact with a measles case, may be asked to stay away from work or school for up to 21 days to prevent the further spread of infection.
Where can I find more information?
NHS website: Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Our Family Information Service website (which can be translated into 132 languages):
MMR vaccine information
1) What is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is a combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella (german measles).
2) Why is the MMR vaccine important?
Measles, mumps and rubella (german measles) are all serious, highly infectious diseases that can spread easily between unvaccinated people. They can cause serious complications such as meningitis, encephalitis (brain inflammation) and hearing loss.
3) How effective is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is highly effective. After 2 doses around 99% of people will be protected against measles and rubella and 88% of people will be protected against mumps. People who are vaccinated against mumps, but still catch it, are less likely to have serious complications or be admitted to hospital.
4) How long does the MMR vaccine take to work?
Protection against measles, mumps and rubella starts to develop around 2 weeks after the vaccine is given.
5) Is one dose of MMR enough?
No. One dose of MMR offers some protection, but 2 doses are needed to achieve full protection.
6) When do children usually have the MMR vaccine?
In the UK children are usually invited to have the first dose of MMR vaccine at 1 year and then the second dose at 3 years and 4 months old.
7) My children are older now – is it too late for them to have the MMR vaccine? What about adults?
Children and adults who have missed MMR vaccines can catch up at any time. It is never too late. You can make an appointment at your GP practice.
It's important to check you've had both doses if you:
· are about to start college or university
· are going to travel abroad
· are planning a pregnancy
· are a frontline health or social care worker
· were born between 1970 and 1979, as you may have only been vaccinated against measles
· were born between 1980 and 1990, as you may not be protected against mumps
· were born outside of the UK and think you may not have received 2 MMR doses. Different countries offer different vaccines and not all offer the combined MMR.
8) What if I don’t know if I, or my children, have had an MMR vaccine?
Children born in the UK are given a Red Book and all vaccinations given are recorded there. Check the Red Book first. If you are still not sure your GP practice will be able to check whether you or your child have had both doses of MMR. You may also be able to access your vaccination record online through GP online services.
If your vaccination records are not available, or do not exist, it will not harm you or your child to have the MMR vaccine again.
9) Is there anyone who should NOT have an MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is not recommended for:
· People who are severely immunosuppressed, such as those receiving cancer treatment. If you have a health condition or are receiving treatment that affects your immune system, check with your GP or healthcare provider if it is safe for you to have the MMR vaccine.
· Pregnant women, as a precaution.
10) What about Allergies?
Serious allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. Let your GP or healthcare provider know if you or your child have previously experienced a severe reaction to a measles, mumps or rubella vaccine or to vaccine ingredients such as the antibiotic neomycin or gelatine.
The MMR vaccine is safe for children and adults with a severe egg allergy.
11) Does the MMR vaccine contain gelatine?
There are two MMR vaccines in use in the UK at the moment. One, called MMRVaxpro®, does contain porcine gelatine but the other, Priorix® does not. Priorix® is widely available, please ask your GP or healthcare provider if you require this gelatine free MMR vaccine.
12) Is the MMR vaccine safe?
The MMR vaccine has an excellent safety record. All vaccines undergo a rigorous testing process to ensure that they are safe and effective.
13) Does MMR cause side effects?
Like most vaccines MMR can cause side effects, but these are usually mild and last for a few days. Most common are:
· Soreness around the injection site – this may last 2-3 days
· Raised temperature or feeling unwell around 7 days after the injection. This may last 2-3days.
14) The MMR vaccine is not linked to autism
There is no evidence of any link between MMR and autism. There are many research studies that have investigated this. Unfortunately, widespread misinformation still remains.
15) Where can I get the MMR vaccine?
Contact your GP practice for an appointment.
There may also be local vaccination sessions in your community - check the Family Information Services websites listed below.
16) Where can I find more information?
The NHS Website has more information and there are useful leaflets translated into different languages here and here.
Our Family Information Service (can be translated into 132 languages):
· Kensington and Chelsea FIS - measles
For more information on how vaccines work: