Definition
Exposure (Close Contact) to person with confirmed measles.
Your child has NO symptoms of measles (rash, cough or fever).
Health Information
Measles Exposure (Close Contact): Definition
Being near an infected person puts you at risk for getting measles. Examples of close contact are:
Living in the same house. Household contacts have the highest risk of catching measles.
For young children, being in the same childcare room or carpool.
Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses.
Face-to-face contact such as kissing or hugging.
Being coughed or sneezed on.
Having prolonged close conversation (within 6 feet) of an infected person.
Caution: Measles is one of the most contagious of all viruses. Even casual contact in the same school can put unvaccinated children at risk for infection.
Measles Transmission: How It Spreads
Cause: Measles is caused by the Measles virus.
Spread: Measles is a very contagious virus. Reason: It is spread by tiny airborne particles that carry the virus and can float in the air. These can remain in a closed area for up to 2 hours after the person with measles has left. Also, respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing on other people can spread the virus. They can cause disease by getting in the eyes, nose or mouth.
Incubation period: 10-12 days to onset of respiratory symptoms. Another 2-4 days to onset of the measles rash. Average time from exposure to rash is 14 days (range: 7- 21 days).
Contagious period: From 4 days before until 4 days after the start of the rash.
Attack rate: The chance of getting measles after exposure is over 90% in unvaccinated persons.
Measles (MMR) Vaccine: Age When Normally Given
All children need to get their measles vaccines.
Children normally get their first vaccine at age 12 months. This gives 95% protection.
Children normally get their second vaccine (booster) at age 4 years. This gives 99% protection.
Protection against measles infections is permanent and lifelong.
Measles Symptoms
Measles starts with red eyes, runny nose, cough and fever. Respiratory symptoms continue for 3-4 days before the onset of the measles rash.
Koplik spots are tiny white specks on the lining of the mouth (inner cheeks). They appear 1 to 2 days before the onset of the rash. These are only seen with measles.
The measles rash starts on day 4 or 5 of the illness. It's a blotchy red rash that starts on the face. The rash spreads downward to involve the entire body over the next 3 days. The rash is deep red. The rash is usually gone by 7 days.
Care Advice
Key Points
Your child has been exposed to the measles virus.
What you need to do depends on if your child has had measles vaccines or infection before.
Keeping your child's vaccines up-to-date always gives your child the best protection.
In any case, try to avoid further exposure to people with measles.
Here is some care advice that should help.
If No Prior Measles Vaccines or Infection, You Need the Vaccine for Protection
Your child has a high risk of getting measles in the next 10-12 days.
For protection from this infection, your child needs a measles vaccine as soon as possible. Call for a vaccine appointment now.
The vaccine is 90% protective if given within 3 days of exposure.
After 3 days of exposure, the vaccine not helpful in preventing the disease from this specific exposure.
If Had Only One Measles Vaccine, You Need a Booster Vaccine
One measles (MMR) vaccine gives 95% of children protection against measles.
If that is the case, get a MMR vaccine booster as soon as possible.
Call now for a vaccine appointment.
If Had Measles Vaccine Twice in the Past, You Should be Protected
Since your child's measles MMR vaccines are up-to-date, your child is 99% protected against getting measles.
That means he has less than a 1% chance of getting measles.
If that happens, the symptoms would be much milder than regular measles.
You do not need to see your doctor.
If Had Measles Infection in the Past, You Should be Protected
Since you are certain that your child has had measles before, that means he is immune to measles.
Protection is lifelong.
Children do not get measles a second time.
You do not need to see your doctor.
Call Your Doctor If
Fever occurs
Rash occurs
Other symptoms of measles occur
You think your child needs to be seen
You have other questions or concerns
Disclaimer
Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP
Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.
