Measles

First, confirm you have actually been exposed to someone with measles

You are only considered exposed if you meet the below criteria:

• Exposed within the past three weeks (21 days) AND one of the below:

1. Exposure to a person who has a fever and rash and recently traveled internationally

2. Exposure to a person who has been diagnosed with measles

3. Present at time and location of another measles patient based on OCPH health alert

Most people are immune to measles, either through infection if born before 1957, or by vaccination. If you are immune, it is unlikely you will become infected with measles if exposed.

If you meet the above criteria, do the following:  

1. CALL your UCI Health doctor’s office first (DO NOT go to clinic before calling)

• Inform office staff of your measles exposure
• Be prepared to answer the following questions:
  • Have you been exposed to a person who has a fever and a rash from a foreign country?
  • Were you exposed to a person who has been diagnosed with measles?
  • Were you present at the time and location of another measles patient based upon a local Public Health alert?
• Do you have symptoms of measles: rash, cough, fever, runny nose, red eyes?
• If possible, have information regarding your measles vaccination status ready

2. If your UCI Health doctor decides you need to be tested for measles, he/she will make special arrangements to evaluate and test you without exposing others

• You will be directed to meet a healthcare worker outside of the clinic building.
• Two tests for measles will be done: 
  • Urine sample collection, if able
    • Please bring a same-day urine sample from home in a disposable, sealed container or zipped plastic bag.
    • Please write down the date & time of collection and collect as close to the clinic visit as possible.
  • Throat swab will be performed by a healthcare worker.
• Meet healthcare worker outside of the clinic to drop off urine sample and receive throat swab (DO NOT go inside)

Stay home and avoid public areas until you have been tested and your test results come back. This is important because, if you have measles, you can easily spread it to others.

Do you think you might have measles?

NOTE: Most people in the U.S. are immune to measles, either through natural exposure (infection) if born before 1957, or through vaccination. If you are immune to measles, it is highly unlikely you will become infected with measles if exposed.

If you are still concerned about measles exposure or think you may have measles:

1. CALL your clinic provider’s office first (DO NOT go inside the clinic)

• Let the office staff know that you are concerned you might have measles.
• If possible, have information regarding your measles vaccination status ready.
• Be prepared to answer the following questions:
  • Have you been exposed to a person who has a fever and a rash from a foreign country?
  • Were you exposed to a person who has been diagnosed with measles?
  • Were you present at the time and location of another measles patient based upon a local Public Health alert?
• Do you have symptoms of measles including rash, cough, fever, runny nose, red eyes?

 If answers to all are NO, you do not need evaluation for measles exposure or infection.

2. If your clinic provider decides you need to be tested for measles, he/she will make special arrangements to evaluate and test you without putting other patients and office staff at risk.

• You will be directed to meet a healthcare worker outside of the clinic building.
• Two tests for measles will be done:
  • Urine sample collection (infants excluded):
    • Please bring a same-day urine sample from home in a disposable, sealed container (e.g. sealable plastic bag).
    • Please write down the date & time of collection and collect as close to visit as possible.
• Throat swab will be performed by a healthcare worker.
• Meet healthcare worker outside of the clinic to drop off urine sample and receive throat swab (DO NOT go inside).
• The clinic will contact you with results.

Stay home and avoid public areas until you have been tested and your test results come back. This is important because, if you have measles, you can easily spread it to others.

The good news is, if you’re vaccinated, you’re unlikely to get sick if exposed to measles.

The overall exposure risk is low. Measles is not normally in the U.S. but can be introduced by persons who travel outside the country. Unfortunately, the number of measles outbreaks have increased significantly in the U.S. in the last several years. This is in part due to decreasing vaccination rates in some communities and international travelers who become infected when visiting areas where measles is more widespread. Most people in the U.S. are vaccinated, and you are far more likely to be exposed to the common cold than to measles. 

Exposure must have occurred within three weeks (21 days) AND one of the below

1. Exposure to a person who has a fever and rash and recently traveled internationally
2. Exposed to a person who has been diagnosed with the measles
3. Present at time and location of another measles patient based on OCPH health alert

Children are at higher risk for complications if they get measles, especially among those less than 5 years of age. Measles can result in serious complications, such as pneumonia, brain infection (encephalitis), and even death. The very best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated. The measles vaccine is very effective and provides lifelong immunity for 93% of people after one dose, and 97% of people after 2 doses.

Pregnant women who are not immune to measles are at higher risk for serious complications if they get measles. Measles during pregnancy can also affect your baby and is associated with risk for miscarriage, premature labor, stillbirth, and low birth weight. The good news is that if you have been vaccinated, you are considered immune and unlikely to get sick with measles. While the risk of vaccinated patients getting measles is low, is it not zero. It is always wise to avoid exposure to others who are sick while you are pregnant.

• You will be given a mask to wear home.
• Go straight home and wait for your results. Remember, you are potentially infectious.
• You should stay home and avoid public areas until 4 days after the start of any rash, or until your test results come back and are negative.
• Avoid crowds.
• Avoid contact with infants, pregnant women, and seriously ill persons.
• Your doctor's office will call clinic if symptoms worsen.
• If you have any appointments scheduled while waiting for your results, postpone them unless absolutely necessary.  If you must go to a clinic visit, please call ahead to notify the clinic.
• Your doctor's office will contact you with results.

If you are vaccinated and were exposed to measles, it is extremely unlikely you will get sick. Vaccinated people who get measles will have milder illness and have much lower risk for serious complications. However, if you have a weakened immune system (e.g., getting chemotherapy for cancer, on steroids or other immune lowering medicines), you are at higher risk for all infections. If you work with children, in college or vocational school settings, or in healthcare facilities, you are also at higher risk of being exposed to someone with measles and should ensure you are vaccinated.

Measles vaccination is part of the MMR vaccine series and is routinely recommended for all children. Chances are, if you were born in the U.S. and did not opt out of vaccination, you likely received the vaccine. If you're not sure whether you have been vaccinated, first check your immunization records to see if you received the vaccine, and if so how many doses. If you do not have these records, your doctor can order a blood test to check your immunity against measles. If the test shows you're not immune, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated.

You are considered protected from the measles if:

• Had one dose of MMR and are not in high-risk settings (childcare, colleges, hospitals)
• Had two doses of MMR and are in high-risk settings (childcare, colleges, hospitals)
• Had ever been pregnant and had pre-natal care because rubella immunity is routinely checked in the US (rubella immunity in the US is obtained by the MMR vaccine). Check with your obstetrician.
• Were born before 1957
• Had blood tests showing you are immune to measles