What Parents Should Know About Measles Outbreaks

How to stay ahead of measles when there’s an outbreak near you

A highly contagious viral infection, measles causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. And like many virus-caused illnesses, there’s no specific medical treatment. While anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated can get measles, it’s most common in children.

“Measles is the most contagious virus known today,” says Nicole Samies, DO, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Geisinger. “It’s estimated up to 90% of unimmunized kids who are exposed to measles will get the infection. And it’s not something to take lightly. Measles can cause dangerous health complications, including brain and lung infections, especially in children younger than 5 years.”

You can catch measles by breathing in tiny droplets released into the air when an infected child coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can linger for more than 2 hours, even after the infected child has left the room. If they land on surfaces like doorknobs or countertops, others who touch those surfaces can get infected by touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

You might think of measles as an old-fashioned disease, and you’d be right. Measles used to be a common childhood disease decades ago, but thanks to widespread vaccination, it’s become rare in this country.

However, millions of cases occur worldwide every year. And measles outbreaks in parts of the United States still happen because of international travel and recent declines in immunization rates in children.

What to do if there’s a measles outbreak in your community

While measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, it’s still very common in other parts of the world. Even if your family doesn’t travel internationally, you could come into contact with the virus if there’s a measles outbreak in your community. Measles can spread quickly among pockets of unvaccinated people.

If measles does break out in your community, Dr. Samies offers these tips:

Stay informed

Knowing the latest information from public health authorities and following their recommendations will protect you and your family during a measles outbreak.

Get vaccinated

Make sure you and your children have gotten age-appropriate doses of the measles vaccine. It’s the most effective way to prevent measles. Unsure whether you or your child have gotten the right doses? Talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you check your vaccination status or order testing to check immunity.

Practice good hygiene

Have your family wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching their faces, cover coughs and sneezes and throw away used tissues immediately.

Limit exposure

To protect your family and prevent spread, stay out of large crowds and avoid close contact with others, especially anyone who’s sick. In the area of an ongoing outbreak, don’t go into public areas where infected people might have been.

Watch for symptoms

Measles symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after exposure. If you or someone in your household has symptoms, stay home and isolate. Contact your healthcare provider to figure out next steps.

Measles testing

If your child has any measles symptoms, like a dry cough, skin rash or red, watery eyes, their healthcare provider may recommend measles testing. There are a few different ways to test for measles, including:

Nasal or throat swab
Urine sample
Blood test

“Not all measles testing is created equal,” says Dr. Samies. “The type of testing you need depends on whether you’re checking for a new, active infection or past immunity.”

A common measles test is called RT-PCR. It detects viral genetic material using a nasal or throat swab and sometimes a urine or blood test as well. This test is best for confirming measles early, as soon as a rash appears. If it’s not done early enough, however, it can result in a false negative.

To check for immunity, your provider would order a blood test called IgG. This simple test shows immunity to measles but not an active infection.

However, to look for a recent infection, a provider would order an IgM blood test. Dr. Samies adds that this test can sometimes be negative in the early stages of infection. It can also cause false positives. This test is best for patients who have had measles symptoms for at least a few days.

Preventing measles

The best way to protect your children and yourself from measles is vaccination. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is typically given to children when they’re 12 to 15 months and again when they’re 4 to 6 years old.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having 1 dose of the MMR vaccine is approximately 93% effective at preventing the onset of measles. Having 2 doses is about 97% effective.

“Immunity lasts a lifetime and provides protection against all strains of measles,” says Dr. Samies.

She adds, “Having the vaccine is much safer than your child getting infected with measles. The vaccine does not cause autism. Even if your immunized child contracts measles, though the odds are against it, the risk of serious complications and hospitalization is significantly reduced.”

And if you’re planning any international travel, check specific CDC guidelines.

Preventing measles starts with each of us. By staying up to date on vaccines, you can help slow the spread in your community and keep everyone around you well.