Measles, a highly contagious disease, poses significant risks but remains preventable with vaccination efforts. Despite the disease being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, recent years have seen a resurgence due to misinformation and reduced vaccination rates, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By mid-March 2025, there were 301 new cases of measles and two deaths, surpassing the 285 total cases reported for the entire year of 2024.
Julia Rosebush, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago Medicine, addresses common questions about measles. "I want to share important facts about measles prevention that can help keep you and your loved ones safe," she emphasized, highlighting the disease's preventability through vaccination.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, rash, and conjunctivitis, appearing eight to twelve days after exposure. Complications can range from ear infections to serious conditions like acute encephalitis, impacting one in every 1,000 cases, and even leading to death in one to three of every 1,000 cases in the U.S.
The disease is highly communicable, spreading via direct contact or airborne transmission. Patients remain contagious from four days before to four days after the rash's appearance. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers over 97% effectiveness after two doses, though contracting measles post-vaccination is rare.
Children should receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine after their first birthday and a second dose before kindergarten. An early dose is possible for infants traveling abroad. For adults, immunity is confirmed by vaccination history, laboratory evidence, or birth before 1957.
Rosebush underlined, "Fortunately, for most people, measles is not life-threatening—but the problem is that you can't predict who will become seriously ill." She advised against relying on alternative preventive measures such as vitamin A or cod liver oil, which are ineffective and may cause harmful side effects.
In case of exposure, individuals should wear a mask, isolate, and immediately contact a doctor. For those unvaccinated, the MMR vaccine or immune globulin injection may reduce illness risk.
Outbreaks necessitate serious attention, especially in vulnerable populations. Rosebush stresses the importance of vaccination and taking precautions to protect both individuals and communities.
Adapted from an article published by the University of Chicago Medicine.