Measles (Rubeola)

Return to Diseases and Conditions homepage

Page last updated 11/24/2025.

_{In alignment with leading
medical, health, and patient advocacy groups, the
County of San Diego affirms that vaccines are not linked to
autism. We remain committed to ensuring residents continue to
have access to safe and effective vaccines that are based on
credible, transparent, and science-based
evidence.}

Measles is a virus that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.

It is very contagious (spreads easily). If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.
Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child may have been exposed to measles.

On this page:

Prevention
- International Travel
Transmission (Spread)
Symptoms
Diagnosis and Treatment
Resources
Information for Healthcare Professionals
Local Situation

Prevention

The best way to prevent measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Children: 1 dose at 12 months of age and another dose at 4-6 years.
- Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox too.
Older children, adolescents, and adults who have not previously received the vaccine.

Make sure you and your child are fully vaccinated before traveling internationally.

Why is Vaccination Important?

Measles can be very serious, especially in unvaccinated young children and pregnant people.

Measles can cause:

Pneumonia
Encephalitis (brain swelling)
Hospitalization
Sometimes death

Usually, high vaccination rates in the general population prevent measles outbreaks. However, measles does spread in communities where less people are vaccinated.

Where Can I Get the Measles Vaccine?

Contact your healthcare provider. If you do not have a healthcare provider, contact 2-1-1.
Find a clinic at MyTurn.ca.gov.
Eligible individuals may get immunization services at a County Public Health Center. Call ahead to confirm hours of operation, available vaccines, or questions about eligibility.

How Do I Know if I'm Protected Against Measles?

You are protected from measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:

You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine (MMR or MMRV).
A laboratory test confirmed that you had measles disease at some point in your life.
A laboratory test confirmed that you are immune to measles.

If you are unsure about your measles immunity, request:

A copy of your vaccination records from your doctor, or Digital Vaccine Record.
MMR/MMRV vaccine from your doctor or find a clinic at MyTurn.ca.gov. It is safe to get another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles.
Testing (blood work) from your doctor.

International Travel

Infographic flyer with information about traveling abroad and how to protect against measles.

Plan to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before traveling.

Measles cases in the United States usually come from unvaccinated international travelers.
People at risk of getting measles are those who have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past.
Children 6-11 months of age can receive an extra dose of MMR vaccine.
Children 12 months and older can complete their two-dose series early if the second dose is at least 28 days after the first dose.

If traveling is less than 2 weeks away, it is still recommended to get a dose of the MMR vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against measles.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Plan for Travel for more information.

Top of Page

Transmission (Spread)

Measles is very contagious.

It is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface, then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can get infected.
The virus can live for up to 2 hours in the air after the infected person leaves the area.
Infected people can spread the virus to others from 4 days before through 4 days after the rash appears.
Animals do not get or spread measles.

Top of Page

Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 21 days after exposure. Early signs include:

High fever (often over 104˚F),

Cough,

Runny nose (coryza), and

Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).

Within 2-3 days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (called Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth. After 3-5 days, a rash appears of flat red spots that begin on the face and spread downward towards the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet, sometimes merging into larger patches with small, raised bumps.

Complications:

While most people recover, measles can cause:

Common complications: Ear infections and diarrhea.
Severe complications: Pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain), both of which can lead to hospitalization and may be life-threatening.
Long-term complications: In very rare cases, measles can lead to a fatal brain disorder called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). This condition usually develops 7-10 years after some, especially a young child, has had measles. It starts with changes in behavior or learning, and then worsens to include muscle spasms, jerking, seizures, loss of coordination, blindness, coma, and eventually death. There is no cure, and treatment only helps manage the symptoms.

Measles can be serious at any age, but the risk of severe illness is highest for:

Children younger than 5 years of age.
Pregnant people.
People with weakened immune systems.

Top of Page

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you think you have been exposed to someone with measles, call your doctor as soon as possible and let them know you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your doctor can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.

There is no cure for measles. Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms. Recommendations are rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. Some people with severe symptoms will need medical care in a hospital.

Top of Page