Measles Information

How to protect yourself.

Where to get the vaccine:

Who should NOT get the vaccine?

What to do if you feel sick or were exposed:

• Do exposed persons need to quarantine?

  Public health officials (local and state health department staff) determine quarantine requirements. 

  Exposed persons are NOT typically asked to quarantine if they have proof of immunity to measles.

  (Proof of immunity would include documentation of being fully vaccinated or documentation of a lab test that shows you are immune to measles.) 

  Exposed persons who are not immune to measles may be asked to quarantine for 21 days. 

  All exposed persons should monitor symptoms for 21 days after exposure. 

• I think I was exposed to measles. What do I do?

  If you've been exposed to measles, you should contact the local health department for detailed instructions.  

  Hays County Health Department

  If you have symptoms, contact your health care provider (or the Student Health Center) to schedule a video (Telehealth) appointment for evaluation.  It is important to call first to tell them about your exposure, so that they can take steps to protect other patients from infection. 

• Do exposed persons need treatment for measles?

  • If you're not immune, it may be helpful to get the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure
  • If you're not immune, immunoglobulin (IG) treatment may be helpful within 6 days of exposure

• How do I know if I am immune to measles?

  CDC considers you protected from measles if you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:

  • You received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and you are:
    • A school-aged child (grades K-12)
    • An adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission (including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers)
  • You received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, and you are:
    • A preschool-aged child
    • An adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission
  • A laboratory confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life.
  • A laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles.
  • You were born before 1957.

• Do I ever need a booster vaccine?

  Booster shots beyond the recommended vaccine schedule are not recommended at this time.

  If you're not sure whether you are fully vaccinated, talk with your healthcare provider.

• Where can I get an MMR vaccine?

  • University Health Services – MMR vaccines available through the Nurse Clinic.  
    Call 512-245-2161 to schedule an appointment.
  • Local pharmacies and health clinics.
  • In Hays County, vaccines for uninsured persons are available through Communicare.

• I am an adult now but only got one dose of measles vaccine as a child. Do I need a second dose?

  If you were born after 1957 one dose of measles vaccine is sufficient to be considered protected from measles. Certain adults may need 2 doses. Adults who are going to be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission should make sure they have had two doses separated by at least 28 days. These adults include:

  • Students at post-high school education institutions
  • Healthcare personnel
  • International travelers
  • People who public health authorities determine are at increased risk for getting measles during a measles outbreak

  If you're not sure whether you are up to date on measles vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider.

  See additional recommendations in the next question.

• Do people who got the killed measles vaccine in the 1960's need to be revaccinated with the current, live measles vaccine?

  Yes, people who know they got the killed measles vaccine (an earlier formulation of measles vaccine that is no longer used) should talk to their healthcare provider about getting re-vaccinated with the current, live measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

  Not many people fall into this group; the killed vaccine was given to less than 1 million people between 1963 and 1967. If you're unsure whether you fall into this group, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity. If you do not have written documentation of measles immunity, you should get vaccinated with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella). Another option is to have a healthcare provider test your blood to determine whether you're immune.

• How effective is the measles vaccine?

  The measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus. One dose is about 93% effective.

• How long does it take for the measles vaccine to work in your body?

  For the measles vaccine to work, the body needs time to produce protective antibodies in response to the vaccine. Detectable antibodies generally appear within just a few days after vaccination. People are usually fully protected after about 2 or 3 weeks.

• How does the measles vaccine work?

  When you get measles vaccine, your immune system makes protective virus-fighting antibodies against the weakened vaccine virus. If you have been vaccinated and then are exposed to someone with measles, those antibodies help your body to fight off the virus. 

• Could I still get measles if I am fully vaccinated?

  Very few people—about three out of 100—who get two doses of measles vaccine would still get measles if exposed to the virus. Experts aren’t sure why. It could be that their immune systems didn’t respond as well as they should have to the vaccine. However, fully vaccinated people who get measles infection seem likely to have a milder illness. Fully vaccinated people also seem less likely to spread the disease to other people.  In this way, fully vaccinated persons can help to protect others who are not able to be vaccinated because they are too young or have weakened immune systems.

• I am sick and my healthcare provider or someone from the health department told me I have measles. What should I do?

  If you have measles, you should not go to school or work.  Stay home and isolate until the 5th day after you develop the rash. People with measles infection are most contagious during the 4 days before the rash appears and the 4 days after the rash appears. 

  Staying home is an important way to not spread measles to other people. For more specific instructions, ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to be around other people again.

  You should also:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in the trash can. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Avoid sharing drinks or eating utensils.
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, tables, and counters. Standard household disinfectants will readily kill the measles virus.

  Call your healthcare provider if you have new, worsening, or concerning symptoms.

• Who is most at risk for contracting measles?

  • Unvaccinated children: Children under 5 years of age who have not received the measles vaccine are at the highest risk. 
  • Pregnant women: Measles can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, especially during the first trimester. 
  • People with weakened immune systems: Individuals with conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, or autoimmune disorders are more susceptible to severe measles complications. 
  • Travelers: People traveling to areas with ongoing measles outbreaks are at increased risk, especially if they are unvaccinated. 
  • Healthcare workers: Healthcare workers who come into contact with measles patients are at risk of infection. 

• How do you treat measles?

  It's important to note that there is no cure for measles. However, supportive care and appropriate treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent complications. 

  Supportive Care: 

  • Rest
  • Fluids
  • Fever reducers (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
  • Pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

  Hospitalization: 

  • Hospitalization may be necessary for severe cases.

  Other Measures: 

  • Isolation helps to prevent spread.

• Who is tracking cases and exposures?

  Local public health officials (local and state health department staff) are keeping records of measles cases and exposures. If you believe that you have been exposed to a case of measles, please contact the health department for detailed instructions. Hays County Health Department.

• What kind of cleaning is needed for prevention of measles?

  After a person with measles has been in a room, virus particles can stay in the air for about 2 hours. It is important for others to avoid the room during that time, if possible.

  After two hours, frequently touched surfaces (such as doorknobs, light switches, counters, handles) can be cleaned. Standard household disinfectants are effective at removing the virus particles if they are used according to instructions on the label.

• How does measles affect my class schedule?

  At this time, there is no change in schedules or locations planned for any events or classes related to measles. For information about a specific course, please contact your instructor.