05/13/2025
😷Spread
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can live on surfaces or in the air for up to two hours.
🤧How Long is a Person Contagious?
People are contagious about four days before their rash starts to four days after it appears. If you might have measles, stay home during this time.
✔️Prevention
Measles is actively spreading in several states and countries. If you are unsure of your or your child’s vaccination status, you can request a copy of your immunization record.
💉How to Prevent Measles
The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. This is primarily administered as the MMR vaccine.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
Two doses prevent more than 97% of measles infections.
🚑When to seek emergency care
Measles typically starts with cough, runny nose, and red eyes and often leads to a rash and fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think you have measles, get medical care. Symptoms can become worse over time, complications can develop, and measles can be deadly if you don’t receive appropriate care.
If you have any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately:
A hard time breathing or breathing faster than normal
Signs of severe dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less than usual)
Confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness
For young children: a blue color around the mouth, crying without making tears, unusually low energy, or severe loss of appetite
Have someone call the ER to let them know a person with measles is coming in so they can see you away from other patients.
For more information visit health.mo.gov/measles
