Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness and is one of the most contagious diseases. Although the disease can be quite severe, some still assume that measles is simply a rash and fever that clears up quickly. The disease can actually come with serious health complications, and children are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of measles.
In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the United States. This was achieved through a high percentage of people receiving effective doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
However, in recent years, measles has once again become a health threat due to lower vaccination rates and a global increase in measles activity. Unvaccinated travelers can bring the virus into the United States, and high-risk individuals (such as young children and unvaccinated people) can then contract and spread the disease.
These upward trends mean healthcare providers must have a thorough understanding of what measles can do, effective ways to care for patients, and how to handle treatment and reporting of any measles activity.
Know the Facts About Measles
Measles is an acute viral illness that compromises the respiratory system. Humans are the only natural host of the virus, and the disease is easily spread through airborne transmission. The disease is very serious for children under five years old.
Measles Transmission
If a person has measles, about 9 out of 10 people around them will become infected with the disease if they are not vaccinated. The disease spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs, and the virus can remain in a room for up to 2 hours after the infected person has left. That long-lasting airborne nature of the virus makes measles one of the most contagious diseases.
Measles Symptoms
Most symptoms of measles appear within 7 to 14 days after the virus is contracted. This delay in symptoms further adds to the contagious nature of measles, as infected people are not even aware they’re carrying and spreading the virus for days.
The most common symptoms of measles include:
- Cough
- Red and watery eyes
- High fever (temperatures may reach over 104° F)
- Rash
Beyond these symptoms, serious complications can arise from measles. They can include diarrhea and ear infections, and complications are especially common in children under the age of five. Pneumonia and encephalitis can also be complications of measles.
Measles Outbreaks and Hospital Admission Rates
An outbreak of measles is defined as three or more related cases of the disease. In 2025, 93 percent of 884 confirmed cases were associated with measles outbreaks. These numbers are already significantly higher than the 69 percent of 285 total cases from the 2024 outbreaks. This means the disease is occurring and spreading at a steadily increasing rate.
Measles Prevention
The best way to stay protected from measles is to receive the MMR vaccine, especially when traveling in the near future. The vaccine is offered in two doses: the first dose is 93 percent effective at preventing measles, and the second dose increases that rate to 97 percent.
Vaccine History
The vaccine was licensed in 1963 and has been proven to be safe and effective (before the vaccine, measles killed 400 to 500 people in the United States every year). The MMR vaccine was also recently endorsed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Children are at the highest risk when it comes to the dangers of measles. The vaccination rate among kindergarteners is below the 95 percent coverage target and is on a decreasing trend. This means that fewer and fewer children are receiving the MMR vaccine, and they are more susceptible to serious complications if they contract the disease. In 2025, two unvaccinated children died from measles during an outbreak in Texas.
Who Is Eligible for Vaccination?
Babies younger than 6 months are unable to receive the MMR vaccine, and the first dose is typically given between 12 and 15 months. However, if infants are traveling, one dose of the MMR vaccine should be given to infants 6 months or older, in addition to two more doses after their first birthday. The second dose of the vaccine is typically administered when children are between 4 and 6 years old.
The age limitations and dosage spread of this vaccine mean that children require herd immunity to stay safe from contracting measles. This means that when a high number of people who are eligible to be vaccinated receive the MMR vaccine, it in turn protects unvaccinated vulnerable populations by reducing the number of measles cases.
Vulnerable Populations
The vulnerable populations that are unable to be vaccinated include people who:
- Have had an allergic reaction to a dose of the MMR vaccine
- Are pregnant
- Have a weakened immune system
- Are susceptible to bruising or bleeding easily
- Have received another vaccine within 4 weeks
- Are feeling unwell or ill
- Have tuberculosis
Patient Care for Measles
In 2025, 12 percent of reported measles cases in the United States resulted in hospitalizations. There is no antiviral therapy for measles, so treatment focuses on symptoms and complications.
Patients who are at high risk for complications from measles include:
- Pregnant individuals
- Children under age 5
- Adults over age 20
- People with weak immune systems
Complications from measles usually include pneumonia and bacterial infections. Patients are often treated with Vitamin A, but overusing this vitamin can have severe side effects such as liver damage, declines in bone health, and central nervous system issues.
How Providers Should Respond to Measles Cases
When working with a patient who is suspected of having measles or has been exposed to the disease, careful precautions must be taken. These are the steps suggested by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to respond to cases of measles appropriately:
- Patient Isolation: Further exposure must be prevented. Patients should ideally be kept in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) or at least a private space. Healthcare facilities need to know ahead of time that a patient with measles is coming, so they can take precautions to protect other patients.
- Report to Public Health: Health departments need to be notified of all measles cases, and they will provide proper guidance in patient care. If the patient has no evidence of immunity, the MMR vaccine can be given within 72 hours of exposure, or immunoglobulin can be administered within 6 days of exposure.
- Collect Samples: A nasopharyngeal (NP) swab or throat (OP) swab must be taken for testing, as well as a blood sample. A urine sample is also recommended to improve testing results and obtain more thorough information about the patient’s situation.
- Support Patient Care: With no antiviral therapy for measles, the symptoms must be managed as much as possible. Watch for common complications, such as pneumonia and infections, and be aware of any health history that may make patients more susceptible to viral complications.
SHC Supports the Safety of Providers and Patients
The rise in disease prevalence and the decline in vaccination rates mean that providers need to understand protocols and best practices to keep everyone as safe as possible. At Supplemental Health Care, we prioritize the safety of healthcare providers, patients, and families. We offer full support to help keep populations safe with quality care.
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