Measles is making a comeback — and it’s something we need to take seriously. It’s one of the most contagious diseases in the world, spreading through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Just being in the same room with someone who has measles can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people.
Why It Matters
Measles isn’t just a childhood illness — it can lead to serious complications, especially in:
Young infants
Immunocompromised individuals
Pregnant women (it can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery)
The best protection? Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.
How It Spreads
Measles is caused by a virus and spreads very easily through respiratory droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of an infected person. It’s often passed on before someone even realizes they’re sick.
Early Symptoms (2 to 4 days before the rash)
Often confused with a cold or the flu, early signs include:
High fever (peaks around the time the rash begins)
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Sore throat
Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) inside the mouth, especially inside the cheeks and back of the lips
The Rash
Begins on the face, usually around the hairline or behind the ears
Spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs
Appears as flat red/brown spots, sometimes with small raised bumps
Spreads gradually and can join to form blotchy patches
Can last 7 days
Often itchy, but usually no blisters
May be harder to see on dark skin tones
Incubation and Infectious Period
It takes 10 to 12 days from exposure to show symptoms.
A person with measles is contagious up to 4 days before and 4 days after the rash appears.
In some cases, the infectious period can last up to 21 days.
What You Can Do
Make sure you and your children are fully vaccinated.
If you think you’ve been exposed or are showing symptoms, call your healthcare provider before going in — to avoid spreading it further. Be especially cautious around infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Measles is preventable. With awareness, early detection, and vaccination, we can protect ourselves and our community.