Measles is a serious illness caused by a virus. The virus can last for one to two weeks. It is rare today because most children are immunized against it. However, the number of diagnosed cases has grown across the country. This increase is related to children not being vaccinated.
What Are the Signs of Measles?
Measles starts with a fever that can get very high. Some of the other symptoms that may occur are:
- Fatigue
- Cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes
- Rash of tiny, red spots that usually lasts five to six days, (the rash begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body)
- Diarrhea
- Ear infection
If you see these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
See PDF version: What Head Start Programs Should Know About Measles [PDF, 341KB]
How Does Measles Spread?
Measles spreads when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It is very contagious from five days before until four days after the start of the rash. After exposure, it can take one to two weeks for the person to get sick.
Measles can spread by being in a room with a person with measles and up to two hours after that person is gone. It can also spread from an infected person even before they have a measles rash. Almost everyone who has not had the measles vaccine will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus. People who have had measles or were immunized usually can’t catch it again.
Who Is at Risk?
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies, young children, and pregnant women. For some children, measles can lead to:
- Pneumonia (a serious lung infection)
- Lifelong brain damage
- Deafness
- Death
Pregnant women with measles are at a higher risk of severe illness and complication. Measles can also affect people who may have a weakened immune system from HIV, AIDS, or cancer chemotherapy. Those who have received an organ transplant or take steroid medication are also at risk.
How Is Measles Diagnosed?
Measles is diagnosed by the symptoms and a special blood test. If you suspect a child in the program has measles, you should ask the parent to take the child to see his or her doctor.
How to Talk to Children about Measles
- If children have questions, take time to listen and answer their questions.
- Be honest. Answer questions based on the facts and as age-appropriate.
- Speak in a calm tone of voice, using reassuring words.
- Assist parents and caregivers in keeping children up to date on their state Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) schedule.
Implications for Head Start Programs
- Notify your local health department right away. Work with health care professionals to help those who might have been exposed to measles.
- All children and staff should be screened for measles if there has been an exposure within the center.
- Closely observe all children to see if there are any additional cases that may be developing.
- Alert parents. Any unimmunized child and all adults should be immunized. If they are not immunized they should be excluded from the center for two weeks after the rash appears in the last case of measles at the facility.
- In the unlikely case that a staff member or employee has contact with someone infected with measles, he or she will be excluded from the program until five days after the rash appears or cleared by health care professionals.
- Programs should review their emergency plans and staff availability to ensure adequate coverage, if needed.
How Can Programs Limit the Spread of Measles?
Once a case of measles is identified within a center, the child or adult should be excluded for further testing and medical treatment, if necessary.
- Make sure all children are up-to-date with their vaccinations. All children should get two doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine starting at 1 year of age.
- Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, or by using alcohol-based gels (hand sanitizer). Soap and water is preferred if hands are visibly soiled.
- Avoid touching mucous from the nose or saliva.
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups, or using eating utensils and food with people who are sick.
- Programs should clean and disinfect surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, sinks, and toilets.
- Make sure all children and adults use good hand-washing techniques, such as scrubbing with soap
Where Can I Learn More?
See PDF version: What Head Start Parents Should Know About Measles [PDF, 343KB]
How Does Measles Spread?
Measles spreads when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It is very contagious from five days before until four days after the start of the rash. After exposure, it can take one to two weeks for the person to get sick.
Measles can spread by being in a room with a person with measles and up to two hours after that person is gone. It can also spread from an infected person even before they have a measles rash. Almost everyone who has not had the measles vaccine will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus. People who have had measles or were immunized usually can’t catch it again.
Who Is at Risk?
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies, young children, and pregnant women. For some children, measles can lead to:
- Pneumonia (a serious lung infection)
- Lifelong brain damage
- Deafness
- Death
Pregnant women with measles have a greater chance of severe illness and complication. Measles can also affect people who may have immune system problems from HIV, AIDS, and cancer chemotherapy. Those who have received an organ transplant or take steroid medication are also at risk.
How Are Measles Diagnosed?
Measles is diagnosed by the symptoms and a special blood test. If you suspect your child has measles, you should have your child see his or her doctor.
Should My Child with Measles Be Excluded from Head Start?
Children diagnosed with measles should remain out of the center until a doctor determines the child is no longer infectious. Your child’s Head Start center might ask for a note from your doctor to clear your child to return.
How to Stop the Spread of Measles?
- Make sure your child is up to date with their vaccinations. All children should get two doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine starting at 1 year of age. Some teens may also need MMR vaccine, if they didn’t get the two doses when they were younger.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups, or using eating utensils and food with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect household surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, sinks, and toilets.
- If you provide care to other children who are sick, wear gloves when touching mucus from the nose or saliva.
- Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers.
- Stay home when sick or consulting your doctor.
- Families can help the child recover by encouraging rest, nutrition, and plenty of healthy fluids to drink.
How to Talk to Children about Measles
- If children have questions, take time to listen and answer their questions.
- Be honest. Answer questions based on the facts and as age-appropriate.
- Speak in a calm tone of voice, using reassuring words.
- Keep your child up to date on the state Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) schedule.
Where Can I Learn More?
Last Updated: February 25, 2022