Information about measles
What is measles?
Measles is an illness that spreads between people easily and it can make you very ill.
Some people are more likely to get very ill from measles than other people. Anyone can get measles, but it is usually children.
People who are most likely to become very ill from measles are:
- young children
- pregnant women / birthing people
- people who have a weak immune system. This is when your body finds it hard to fight off infections and stay healthy
How can you get measles?
You can get measles if you get close to someone else with measles.
You can also get measles by touching things that have been coughed or sneezed on.
What happens if you get measles?
Most people start feeling ill 10 days after getting measles but sometimes it can take as long as 3 weeks. This is the same as 21 days.
When you first feel ill with measles you might:
- have a high temperature, this means 37.5°C or higher
- have a runny or blocked nose
- sneeze or cough
- have red, sore, watery eyes
You might get small white spots in your mouth a few days after you start to feel ill.
You usually get a rash between 2 and 4 days after you start feeling ill.
The rash starts on your face and behind your ears and then it spreads to your body.
The rash looks brown or red if you have white skin. It can be hard to see the rash if you have brown or black skin.
Measles on white skin
Measles on brown skin
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR)
The MMR vaccine is an injection and it is the best way to protect you from measles.
Children get 2 injections of the MMR vaccine. They usually get injection 1 when they are 1 year old and they get injection 2 when they are 3 years old.
If your child has been close to someone with measles, they might need the MMR vaccine earlier than usual.
You can get the MMR vaccine at any age in case you missed it as a child.
What to do if you or your child becomes ill
If you become ill and think it could be measles, talk to a doctor on the phone and tell them about this letter.
Or you can get help on NHS 111 online (https://111.nhs.uk/).
If you get measles, you can give it to other people. If you have measles, stay away from other people to stop measles spreading. You can give measles to other people for 4 days after you get the rash.
If your child has measles, they should not go to school or nursery or to a childminder.
Do not go to places you usually go. This might be work, volunteering, college, or a day centre.
After 4 days you can carry on as normal if you feel better and you do not have a high temperature.
If you are not registered with a Doctor (GP)
You can learn how to join a doctor’s surgery on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/
Joining a doctor’s surgery may be more difficult for some people. A ‘my right to healthcare’ card can support this. To access a card visit: https://groundswell.org.uk/all-resources/healthcare-cards/
There is also a useful guide on finding healthcare. To access this information visit: www.gypsy-traveller.org/advice-section/finding-healthcare/
All information has been provided by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).