In this Article

• 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?
• What is the danger of getting measles while pregnant?
• If I am exposed, how long does it take to develop symptoms?
• What are the symptoms of measles?
• 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 develop?
• If measles only rarely occurs in the United States, why should I get vaccinated?
• 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 vaccine?
• What adverse reactions can occur to the vaccination?
• Who should be revaccinated?
• Where can I find more information about measles?
• Measles At A Glance
• Measles (Rubeola) Glossary
• Measles (Rubeola) Index

If a child has an egg allergy, can they still receive the vaccine?

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.

What adverse reactions can occur with the vaccination?

Adverse reactions to measles vaccination (as part of the MMR) include fever (5%-15%), rash (5%), joint aches (5%), and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia; one instance per 30,000 doses). In adult women, up to 25% will suffer joint pain that is due to the rubella component of the vaccine. The fever usually occurs seven to 12 days after the vaccination, and the rash occurs seven to 10 days after vaccination.

Who should be revaccinated?

The following group of people should be considered unvaccinated and should receive at least one dose of vaccine:

• People vaccinated before their first birthday should be revaccinated.



• Anyone known to have been vaccinated with the killed measles vaccine (KMV) should be revaccinated.



• Anyone vaccinated with KMV who received their dose of live measles vaccine with four months of their last dose of vaccine should be revaccinated.



• Anyone vaccinated before 1968 in whom it is not known if the vaccine was KMV or not should be revaccinated.

Where can I find more information about measles?

1. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-Measles.aspx

2. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/
pinkbook/downloads/meas.pdf

3. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/surv-manual/downloads/chpt06_measles.pdf

4. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/

5. http://www.who.int/vaccines-documents/GlobalSummary/GlobalSummary.pdf

6. http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2065.pdf (autism)

Measles At A Glance

• Measles is a potentially serious disease.
• Measles is due to a virus that is easily spread.
• Measles can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis.
• Measles infection of the brain (encephalitis) can cause convulsions, mental retardation, and even death.
• Measles in pregnant women can cause miscarriages or premature delivery.
• Measles can be prevented through vaccination.
• Each person not immunized against measles is at risk for measles and puts others at risk.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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