What Happens If You Contract Measles and How Likely Is It?

Key Takeaways

In 2023, there were over 30,000 measles cases reported across 40 member states in the WHO European Region compared to just 941 cases reported in all of 2022. The WHO believes the resurgence of measles is a result of fewer children being vaccinated against the disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have seen in the Region not only a 30-fold increase in measles cases, but also nearly 21,000 hospitalizations and five measles-related deaths. This is concerning,”Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said in anews release. “Urgent vaccination efforts are needed to halt transmission and prevent further spread.”

Despite these stateside cases, the WHO hasn’t issued extensive warnings in the U.S. because of the widespread requirement for measles vaccination during infancy,Charles Bailey, MD, medical director for infection prevention at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, Providence Mission Hospital, told Verywell in an email. Still, he emphasized it’s important to be aware of measles transmission and prevention.

“With the rate of childhood vaccination declining in some communities, we might expect to see a rise of acute cases among the non-immune plus, unfortunately, some avoidable instances of severe measles complications,” Bailey said.

Here’s everything you need to know about measles, how likely it is to contract it, and what to do if you get infected, according to experts.

What Is Measles?

Other common symptoms of measles include:

Measles can lead to severe complications. These include severe diarrhea and related dehydration, ear infections, breathing problems, pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis (brain swelling).

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023

How Does Measles Spread?

The virus lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person and can spread to others via tiny droplets released into the air from coughing, sneezing, or speaking, said Bailey. If other people breathe the contaminated air or come into contact with any infected surfaces and then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can also become infected, the CDC states.

“Infectious viral aerosols can remain suspended in the air of a room for several hours after a contagious person has exited it,” said Bailey.

Can You Get Measles If You’re Vaccinated?

People who get theMMR vaccinereceive protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. TheCDC estimatesthat a single dose of the vaccine will prevent measles in 93% of vaccinated individuals, while the complete two-dose series is 97% effective.

The CDC recommends all children receive the MMR vaccine. The first dose is administered between 12 months and 15 months. The second dose is administered between ages 4 and 6.

Although vaccinated individuals can still contract measles, the likelihood is significantly lower compared to those without vaccination, Bailey said.

“Cases in vaccinated individuals are more likely in those with some impairment of their immunity that prevented the full benefit from the measles vaccine series they received,” he said.

If you have not received any vaccinations for measles, experts say you run a higher chance of getting the disease.

“Unless you have been vaccinated against measles, you run about 90% chance to contract the infection if exposed to an ill individual during the period of highest potential transmission,” which is between four days before and four days after a rash appears, Bailey said.

However, if you’re unvaccinated and live in a community where the majority of the population is vaccinated, your risk of contracting measles is quite low. The measles shot provides vaccinated individuals with reliable lifelong protection from infection and transmission.

What Is Herd Immunity?

“Over 85% of cases during the 2019 outbreak occurred within close-knit under-vaccinated communities but did not spread beyond these groups due to still-high vaccination rates within the broader neighboring population,” Bailey said.

Can You Get the MMR Vaccine as an Adult?If you didn’t receive the MMR vaccine as a child, or aren’t sure if you did, the CDC says you can get vaccinated as an adult. Most people only need one dose, though people at a higher risk for mumps, measles, or rubella will receive two doses spaced 28 days apart.People born before 1957 do not need to get the measles vaccine because they were likely infected naturally and are presumed to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Can You Get the MMR Vaccine as an Adult?

If you didn’t receive the MMR vaccine as a child, or aren’t sure if you did, the CDC says you can get vaccinated as an adult. Most people only need one dose, though people at a higher risk for mumps, measles, or rubella will receive two doses spaced 28 days apart.People born before 1957 do not need to get the measles vaccine because they were likely infected naturally and are presumed to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella.

If you didn’t receive the MMR vaccine as a child, or aren’t sure if you did, the CDC says you can get vaccinated as an adult. Most people only need one dose, though people at a higher risk for mumps, measles, or rubella will receive two doses spaced 28 days apart.

People born before 1957 do not need to get the measles vaccine because they were likely infected naturally and are presumed to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella.

What Happens If You Get Measles?

Those who get infected with measles can experience a range of symptoms and complications,David Cutler, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, told Verywell in an email.

In addition, an infected person may experienceKoplik spots, tiny red spots with bluish-white centers inside the mouth on the lining of the cheek. Cutler said Koplik spots may appear in the two to three days before a rash develops and fade a day or two later.

“The rash usually appears 14 days after a person is exposed. The rash usually increases as fever fades,” Cutler said. “The rash first appears on the head and face, spreading downwards.”

Complications of the viral infection include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and brain infection.

“These complications are more common in the very young and older adults,” Cutler said.

How Can You Treat Measles?

At this time, there is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Supportive care can help manage symptoms and prevent complications, Handel and Bailey said.

If you get measles, Bailey recommends addressing any bothersome symptoms with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen to help reduce fever and alleviate discomfort. He also suggests following common sense measures, such as staying hydrated, getting enough rest, and avoiding other people—especially anyone who you know is unvaccinated.

In some cases,vitamin Asupplements are recommended—especially among children—to reduce the risk of complications and improve recovery, Handel added.

“There are studies showing that vitamin A actually is helpful in making measles less severe,” Handel said.“For measles, we generally treat with vitamin A just to help with symptoms.”

It’s important to reiterate that the best way to prevent measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, particularly because it is highly effective and provides long-term immunity, according to theCDCandWHO.

What This Means For YouIf you contract measles, you can experience a range of symptoms and complications, including a fever, cough, runny nose, and rash. However, vaccinations are highly effective in preventing measles, with a single dose providing protection in 93% of vaccinated individuals and a two-dose boosting this protection to 97%.

What This Means For You

If you contract measles, you can experience a range of symptoms and complications, including a fever, cough, runny nose, and rash. However, vaccinations are highly effective in preventing measles, with a single dose providing protection in 93% of vaccinated individuals and a two-dose boosting this protection to 97%.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.A 30-fold rise of measles cases in 2023 in the WHO European Region warrants urgent action.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles cases and outbreaks.World Health Organization.Measles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles transmission.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination: what everyone should know.Hester GZ, Nickel AJ, Stinchfield PA, Spaulding AB.Low use of vitamin A in children hospitalized for measles in the United States.Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020;39(4):e45-e46. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000002574

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.A 30-fold rise of measles cases in 2023 in the WHO European Region warrants urgent action.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles cases and outbreaks.World Health Organization.Measles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles transmission.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination: what everyone should know.Hester GZ, Nickel AJ, Stinchfield PA, Spaulding AB.Low use of vitamin A in children hospitalized for measles in the United States.Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020;39(4):e45-e46. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000002574

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

World Health Organization.A 30-fold rise of measles cases in 2023 in the WHO European Region warrants urgent action.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles cases and outbreaks.World Health Organization.Measles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles transmission.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination: what everyone should know.Hester GZ, Nickel AJ, Stinchfield PA, Spaulding AB.Low use of vitamin A in children hospitalized for measles in the United States.Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020;39(4):e45-e46. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000002574

World Health Organization.A 30-fold rise of measles cases in 2023 in the WHO European Region warrants urgent action.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles cases and outbreaks.

World Health Organization.Measles.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles signs and symptoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles complications.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles transmission.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination: what everyone should know.

Hester GZ, Nickel AJ, Stinchfield PA, Spaulding AB.Low use of vitamin A in children hospitalized for measles in the United States.Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020;39(4):e45-e46. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000002574

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