Measles

Symptoms of measles appear 1-2 weeks following exposure. Initial symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. After 2-3 days, white spots may appear inside the mouth. After 3-5 days, a rash typically appears, beginning at the hairline and spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.

Measles is very contagious. It is spread through coughing and sneezing. If a person breathes the air in a room up to 2 hours after a person with measles spent time there, they can contract measles. An infected person is contagious up to 4 days before their rash appears and for 4 days following the start of their rash.

There are no medications to directly treat measles. Comfort measures to relieve symptoms include rest, hydration, fever reducers may be helpful. If an unvaccinated person has been exposed to measles, they can get vaccinated within 72 hours to prevent illness. Exposed individuals who are not eligible for vaccine can receive measles immune globulin to prevent illness.

The U.S. reported fewer than 100 cases of measles each year between 2000 and 2010 due to international travel. However, large outbreaks occurred in 2014, 2019, and 2025 involving community spread. These outbreaks occurred in communities where children did not receive the MMR vaccine to prevent spread, or only received one vaccine dose. At least 95% of the community must be vaccinated to prevent spread.

Check vaccination rates at your school using the CDPHE Immunization Data.

Measles can cause serious illness, especially for infants and children younger than 5. Pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system can also have severe complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who have measles in the U.S. require hospitalization. If you or a family member has contact with a person with measles or may have measles, isolate and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Additionally, measles can cause serious long-term complications, including hearing and vision loss, encephalitis and brain damage, and pneumonia and permanent lung damage. Measles can also increase your risk of contracting other illnesses due to damage to immune cells (“immune amnesia”).  Measles is associated with a rare but fatal progressive brain disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated. The MMR vaccine provides protection against three viruses: measles, mumps, and rubella. The measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus.

No. Most Americans get enough vitamin A in their diet. Contact your doctor to get tested for vitamin A deficiency before supplementing with additional vitamin A.

Taking too much vitamin A can lead to damage to the liver, nervous system, and bones. Pregnant women should avoid excess vitamin A to prevent severe birth defects in their developing baby.

Learn more about vitamin A and measles (Español).

If you have private insurance, the MMR vaccine may be available at your healthcare provider’s clinic. The MMR vaccine is also available at retail pharmacies, including King Soopers The Little Clinic, CVS, Safeway, and Walgreens. Your insurance provider can also identify vaccine providers covered under your plan.

The Vaccines for Children program provides free or low-cost vaccines for children 18 years and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, on Medicaid, or Alaska Native/American Indian. View a map of Vaccines for Children providers in Colorado, which includes 25 participating clinics in Douglas County. Call ahead to confirm vaccine availability and ask about any costs.

The following providers also serve underinsured and uninsured patients:

• Colorado Alliance for Health Equity and Practice (CAHEP), 12201 East Mississippi Ave, Suite 107B, Aurora, CO 80012, 720-949-0307
• Doctors Care, 609 W. Littleton Blvd, Suite 100, Littleton, CO 80120, 303-730-1313

If you have Medicare or are in need of a low cost vaccination, please call the Douglas County Health Department at 720-643-2400, press option 3, then option 1 for vaccines. Check the Health Department website for information about upcoming free clinics.

Children are recommended to receive the MMR vaccine at age 12-15 months and again at ages 4-6. Infants traveling internationally or to a location in the U.S. with a current measles outbreak should get an early dose of MMR between ages 6 and 11 months.

You can verify your child’s vaccination history by contacting their healthcare provider or the Colorado Immunization Information System Public Portal.

Colorado law requires all students attending Colorado schools and licensed childcare centers to be vaccinated against certain diseases, unless an exemption is filed.

• For Pre-K and grade school entry, 2 doses of MMR are required.

Visit CDPHE’s school-required vaccines page to learn more.

Colorado law requires all students attending Colorado schools and licensed childcare centers to be vaccinated against certain diseases, unless an exemption is filed.

• For children younger than 16 months, MMR vaccine is not required.
• For children between 16 and 24 months: 1 dose of MMR is required
• For children between 24 months and Pre-K entry: 1 dose of MMR is required

Visit CDPHE’s school-required vaccines page to learn more.

Vaccination is recommended for anyone over age 1 who has not previously received the MMR vaccine. Infants between 6 and 12 months of age may receive the MMR vaccine if they live in or will travel to an area with local measles transmission. People born after 1967 who have received 2 doses of MMR vaccine do not need to receive another vaccine.

Anyone born before 1957 is assumed to have immunity and additional vaccination is not recommended.

A small group of individuals who received an MMR vaccine between 1963-1967 may lack immunity to measles. If you are concerned about your measles immunity, please contact your health care provider to have your immunity checked. A simple blood test (titer check) can determine if you have protection against measles.

If you have questions about getting an MMR vaccine, check with your healthcare provider.

Any unvaccinated staff or student may be quarantined for up to 21 days following exposure to a person with measles. If an exposed person is eligible for vaccination or immunoglobulin and is treated within the required time frame, quarantine is not required.

If you were exposed to a person with measles, immediately contact the Douglas County Health Department at 720-643-2400.

If you have symptoms of measles, contact your healthcare provider. Inform them that you believe you may have measles prior to entering a clinic or hospital.