Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Measles

Preventing Measles With the MMR Vaccine

Measles can be prevented by use of the MMR vaccine, which also protects against mumps and rubella. A viral infection spread through the air, measles can be extremely serious for young children. However, the MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles as well as very safe.

Measles: Condition & Symptoms

Measles can be spread by:

  • Mother to baby contact; including through pregnancy, delivery, and nursing
  • Airborne contact with germs from coughs or sneezes
  • Contact with an infected person’s skin
  • Contact with a contaminated object or surface
  • Saliva through kissing, sharing drinks, or sharing lip balm / lipstick

Symptoms typically take 10 to 14 days to surface, and may include a runny nose, a cough, inflammation of the eyes, a sore throat, a high fever, and a red rash on the skin. Children with measles may also develop Koplik’s spots in their mouths, which are red spots with blue-white middles. The blotchy, red rash eventually spreads all over the body and is the most recognizable symptom of measles. There is no treatment or cure for measles but you can manage symptoms with over-the-counter treatments. Because of the extremely contagious nature of measles, it is very important to get vaccinated. About 9 in 10 people who are not vaccinated against measles will contract the virus if exposed to an infected individual.

Related Physicians
Related Locations
  • Family Medicine - Mowry Family Practice Family Medicine
    2287 Mowry Avenue
    Suite C
    Fremont, CA 94538
    (510) 248-1700
    More Information
  • Family Medicine - Warm Springs Clinic Family Medicine
    46690 Mohave Drive
    Fremont, CA 94539
    (510) 248-1065
    More Information
  • Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases - Mowry Multi-Specialty Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary Medicine, Immigration Physicals
    2557 Mowry Ave.
    #12
    Fremont, CA 94538
    (510) 248-1550
    More Information
  • Primary Care - Civic Center Clinic Internal Medicine, Immigration Physicals
    39141 Civic Center Dr.
    #130
    Fremont, CA 94538
    (510) 248-1680
    More Information
  • Primary Care - Danielson Clinic, Newark Family Medicine, Internal Medicine
    6236 Thornton Ave.
    Newark, CA 94560
    (510) 248-1860
    More Information
  • Primary Care - Nakamura Clinic, Union City Family Medicine, Internal Medicine
    33077 Alvarado-Niles Road
    Union City, CA 94587
    (510) 248-1500
    More Information
  • Primary Care – State Street
    39210 State Street
    Suite 209
    Fremont, CA 94538
    (510) 248-1720
    More Information