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Medical Author:

Edmond Hooker, MD, DrPH

Edmond Hooker, MD, DrPH

Dr. Eddie Hooker is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville and at Wright State University. His areas of expertise include emergency medicine, epidemiology, health-services management, and public health.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• Measles facts
• What is measles?
• What is rubeola?
• What is rubella?
• What are other names for measles?
• What is the history of measles?
• What causes measles?
• How is measles spread?
• How does one become immune to measles?
• Who is at risk for getting measles?
• Is measles deadly?
• What is the danger of getting measles while pregnant?
• If I am exposed, how long does it take to develop symptoms and signs?
• What are measles symptoms and signs?
• What are the complications seen with measles?
• What is atypical measles?
• What is modified measles?
• How is the diagnosis of measles made?
• If it is not measles, what else could it be?
• What should I do if I have been exposed to measles?
• Is there any treatment for measles after symptoms and signs develop?
• If measles only rarely occurs in the United States, why should I get vaccinated?
• Do I need to be revaccinated against measles if I am traveling to Europe?
• What is the prognosis for measles?
• How can I prevent contracting measles?
• Is there any truth to the fear of getting autism from vaccines?
• Who should not receive measles vaccinations?
• If a child has an egg allergy, can they still receive the measles vaccine?
• What adverse reactions can occur to the measles vaccination?
• Who should be revaccinated against measles?
• Where can I find more information about measles?
• Patient Comments: Measles - Symptoms
• Measles (Rubeola) Index

The following groups of people should not receive measles vaccinations:

• People who have suffered a severe allergic reaction to either the measles vaccine or its components (gelatin or neomycin) should not receive the vaccine.
• Women known to be pregnant should not receive the vaccine. Pregnancy should be avoided for four weeks after vaccination.
• Severely immunocompromised patients (cancer patients or patients who are receiving large doses of corticosteroids) should not receive the vaccine. However, those leukemia patients who have been in remission for three months may receive the MMR.
• Patients with severe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections should not receive the vaccine. However, asymptomatic patients with HIV are considered to be safe for vaccination. The CDC has issued guidelines for vaccination based on the CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts.
• People with a moderate to severe acute illness should wait until their illness resolves before receiving the vaccine.

Patients with history of thrombocytopenic purpura or thrombocytopenia (low platelets) may be at increased risk, and immunization should be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Although the measles vaccine is made using chick embryos, there is no evidence of increased reactions in people with an egg allergy. Therefore the CDC recommends giving MMR vaccine to egg-allergic children without any prior skin testing or the use of special protocols.