Measles Information
What causes measles?
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Illness onset begins a week or two after someone is exposed.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Illness onset begins a week or two after someone is exposed.
What are the symptoms?
- Measles symptoms usually start with high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
- A few days later, rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face. The rash then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body.
- People are contagious from 4 days before the rash starts to 4 days after the rash appears.
- Unvaccinated children are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus.
How can I prevent measles?
The best way to prevent measles is to be immunized with two doses of a measles vaccine, either the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella- varicella (MMRV) combination vaccine.
The best way to prevent measles is to be immunized with two doses of a measles vaccine, either the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella- varicella (MMRV) combination vaccine.
- Children should receive one dose at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years. Each dose lowers the risk of infection and severity of illness if infected.
Can my child go to school or daycare?
Texas Administrative Code requires schools and daycares to exclude children from attending school or daycare if they are suspected of having certain illnesses.
Texas Administrative Code requires schools and daycares to exclude children from attending school or daycare if they are suspected of having certain illnesses.
- Children with measles are required to stay home until 4 days have passed from rash onset.
- Unvaccinated children who are exposed to someone with measles are required to stay home for 21 days after the exposure.
- Children with a fever are required to stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medications.
