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Measles is a very contagious virus that spreads through the air
when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
A person can spread measles from 4 days before to 4 days after their rash appears.

symptoms of measles

Measles symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after exposure but they could take up to 21 days to appear. 

 

Measles typically begins with these initial symptoms: 

  • FEVER 
  • C​OUGH
  • RUNNY NOSE
  • RED, WATERY EYES​

 

2-3 days after the initial symptoms, tiny white spots (KOPLIK SPOTS) may appear in the mouth. ​

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3-5 days after the initial symptoms, the measles RASH appears (first on the face near the hairline and then spreads downward) 

  • When the rash appears, the fever may spike to more than 104° F. 

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who is most at risk

Measles can cause serious health complications.

  • Groups are at higher risk of experiencing severe complications from measles include:

    • ​CHILDREN under 5 years of age 

    • ADULTS over 20 years of age 

    • People who are PREGNANT

    • People with WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS
       

  • Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. â€‹

  • More severe complications are possible and include pneumonia and encephalitis. 

  • If a pregnant woman gets measles,  she is at higher risk of giving birth prematurely or having a low-birth-weight baby.

  • Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a very rare, but fatal disease that results from a measles infection earlier in life.

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prevention

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​​Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 unprotected people who come into close contact with that person will become infected.  The best protection against measles comes from MMR vaccine.  â€‹

 

A person is considered PROTECTED FROM MEASLES if: 

  • They had two doses of a measles (MMR) vaccine

  • They previously had measles

  • They were born before 1957 (nearly everyone born before 1957 was naturally infected with measles and is considered immune) â€‹

 

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Learn more about measles from CDC

if you are exposed

For 21 days after your last exposure ​

  • STAY HOME* 

    • Do NOT go out shopping, to work, school or religious services.

    • Do NOT have visitors during this time.

  • MONITOR yourself for symptoms.

    • If you develop symptoms contact Chatham Health District Public Health Nurse, Vickie, at (860) 214-0308.  

      • If you cannot reach Chatham Health District, call CT DPH at 860-509-7929 (8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays) or 860-509-8000 (other times)​

    • If you need to go to the doctor/hospital:

      • Call the facility ahead of time to tell them that you are coming and that you may have been exposed to measles.

*If you can provide proof that you meet one of the criteria listed in the section above and you are considered PROTECTED FROM  MEASLES, you do not need to stay home but you should still monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days after your last exposure. â€‹

Symptoms
High Risk Groups
Prevention
Been Exposed?
Protected
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