Measles is a serious, extremely contagious disease caused by the measles virus. It is most common in children but can occur in adults, too.
The measles virus spreads through the air when someone who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The best way to prevent measles infection is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Common measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, and rash. Measles can cause serious, life-threatening symptoms and complications in people who aren’t protected against the disease.
Measles is still very common in many parts of the world. It was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. However, outbreaks have surged in recent years.
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What Is Measles?
Measles, also known as rubeola, is a serious, highly contagious viral infection. The measles virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes.
Measles causes flu-like symptoms, such as a cough and fever, along with a rash. It can also cause serious, life-threatening complications, especially in people who aren’t vaccinated.
Vaccination has significantly reduced the number of global measles deaths. But measles infections and deaths remain common in many parts of the world. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, but outbreaks in unvaccinated populations have still occurred in recent years.
How common is measles?
Measles is very common in many parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated there were 11 million measles infections and 95,000 measles deaths in 2024.
The effectiveness of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine caused measles to be declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
But measles infection is still possible in the United States through unvaccinated travelers or in unvaccinated communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,276 measles infections in 2025. That marked the highest total since 1991.
What causes measles?
Measles is caused by the measles virus.
The virus lives in an infected person’s nose or throat mucus. It spreads through the air through respiratory droplets. Those droplets can be released when an infected person:
- Breathes
- Coughs
- Sings
- Sneezes
- Talks
Someone can breathe in those droplets and become infected themselves. The droplets can also land on a surface. If a person touches an infected surface and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes, they can become infected.
The measles virus can survive in the air or on a surface for up to two hours, making it very contagious.
Pregnant women can also spread measles to their child during pregnancy.
People can spread measles before they even know they're sick. An infected person can spread measles from four days before the rash appears until four days afterward. People who are immunocompromised may be contagious even longer.
Someone with measles can infect up to 90% of unprotected people around them.
Measles risk factors
The people most at risk of measles infection are:
- Unvaccinated people.
- Vaccinated people who didn’t develop immunity.
Those people face a high risk of infection if exposed to the measles virus.
People who are most at risk of measles complications include:
- Adults over age 20.
- Children under age 5.
- Malnourished people.
- People with compromised immune systems.
- Pregnant women.
Complications of measles
Measles can cause a wide range of complications, including some that are severe and life-threatening.
Those complications include:
- Blindness.
- Breathing problems.
- Diarrhea (and dehydration afterward).
- Ear infections.
- Encephalitis (brain swelling).
- Pneumonia.
- Seizures.
Complications for pregnant people include risk of:
- Low birth weight.
- Miscarriage.
- Premature birth.
Measles complications can cause hospitalization or death. About 95,000 people died from measles worldwide in 2024.
A very rare, deadly complication of measles is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). SSPE is a fatal nervous system disease that can develop years after measles infection.
How can I prevent measles?
The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated.
The most common vaccine for measles in the United States is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Children can also get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine, which also protects against chickenpox. The MMRV vaccine is only available for children who are between 12 months and 12 years of age.
Two doses of the MMR and MMRV vaccine are recommended.
The recommended vaccine schedule is:
- First dose — Given when a child is 12 to 15 months old.
- Second dose — Given when a child is 4 to 6 years old.
Unvaccinated older children, adolescents, and adults can also get vaccinated. They can receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, delivered at least 28 days apart.
People who are traveling internationally should be fully vaccinated before they leave. Children who are 6 to 11 months of age can receive one dose of the MMR vaccine before traveling, then two more doses after their first birthday.
If you’re exposed to measles and are unvaccinated, vaccination is recommended within three days of exposure.
The MMR and MMRV vaccines are safe and effective and protect most people for life. According to the CDC, two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles. Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles infection and complications.
The vaccines may have minor, temporary side effects, including:
- Fever.
- Mild rash.
- Redness or soreness at the site of the shot.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Measles?
Measles symptoms include:
- Cough.
- High fever (can exceed 104 F).
- Rash.
- Red, watery eyes.
- Runny nose.
- White spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots).
Flu-like symptoms typically begin about seven to 14 days after exposure to the measles virus. It can sometimes take up to three weeks.
The Koplik spots appear about two to three days after symptoms begin.
The rash usually appears three to five days after symptoms begin. The rash usually begins as flat spots at the hairline before moving downward to the rest of the body. The spots can join together as the rash moves downward, and raised bumps may also appear on top of the spots.
The fever can spike to over 104 F after the rash appears.
You can spread the measles virus from four days before the rash appears to four days after.
When should I see a doctor about my measles symptoms?
Measles is a highly contagious disease with potentially life-threatening complications for you and others.
You should call your doctor immediately if:
- You believe you or your child has been exposed to the measles virus.
- You or your child starts showing symptoms of the measles.
- You or your child is unvaccinated.
Your doctor can then take precautions to help you or your child safely get tested for measles.
How Do You Diagnose Measles?
Doctors can typically diagnose measles from the rash and other symptoms. They will also take blood and other samples for laboratory testing to confirm the diagnosis.
What to expect during your visit
Because measles is very contagious, you will be isolated from other patients while being evaluated.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. They’ll also ask about your potential exposure to the measles virus and your contact with others since your exposure.
They’ll also collect samples from you for lab testing.
Tests to diagnose measles
Measles symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases. Lab testing is crucial to confirm a measles diagnosis.
Providers will typically collect the following samples for testing:
- Blood.
- Nasal or throat swab.
- Urine.
Nasal/throat swabs are preferred over urine samples, according to the CDC.
Measles prognosis
Vaccination has helped to greatly reduce measles death rates. But complications — including some that are life-threatening — are still possible.
Measles causes many hospitalizations and deaths worldwide. According to the CDC, about 20% of unvaccinated people who get measles in the United States are hospitalized.
There are no specific treatments for measles. Treatments focus on managing measles symptoms and complications. You should also avoid contact with others; stay home from work, school, and other locations.
Measles can also weaken your immune system for months. That can put you at risk for other infections.
How Do You Treat Measles?
There are no specific treatments for measles. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and prevent and manage complications.
Lifestyle changes
Healthy lifestyle habits can promote your recovery from measles.
Examples include:
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or coughing and sneezing into your elbow instead of your hand.
- Disinfecting commonly touched surfaces.
- Drinking plenty of fluids.
- Eating healthy.
- Getting enough rest.
- Not sharing glasses, plates, or utensils with others.
- Staying home from work and school.
- Washing your hands often with soap and water.
Medicine to treat measles
There is no antiviral medication for measles. Instead, medical treatment focuses on supportive care — managing symptoms and preventing and managing complications.
Potential medical treatments for measles include:
- Antibiotics — To treat bacterial infections that can be complications of measles, such as ear infections and pneumonia.
- Fluids — To prevent dehydration, a complication of measles.
- Over-the-counter medications — To relieve flu-like symptoms like cough and fever. Examples include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Note: You should not give aspirin to children with measles. Giving aspirin to children during a viral infection is linked to a higher risk of developing a rare disease called Reye’s syndrome.
- Vitamin A — Vitamin A supplementation may help prevent or treat serious measles complications in children. Treatment with vitamin A should only occur under the supervision of a health care provider.
How effective is measles treatment?
Most people with measles can recover at home. But people with severe complications may need hospitalization. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen or if you develop new symptoms like trouble breathing.
How long does it take to recover after measles treatment?
Measles symptoms typically last for one to two weeks. If complications develop, it can take several weeks to recover.
You should remain isolated for at least four days after the rash appears. Talk to your doctor about when you can get back to your normal activities.
Why Choose UPMC for Measles Care?
UPMC provides expert care for a wide range of infectious diseases.
You can expect:
- Complete care — We’re here to support you from diagnosis through treatment.
- Expertise in infectious diseases — Our team has years of experience caring for infectious diseases, from common conditions to rare ones. We work together to improve the standards for treating and preventing infectious diseases.
- Research-backed treatments — We are an active participant in infectious disease research. Our research background allows us to offer the latest research-backed options for care.
