Once You Have the Measles Can You Get It Again

Key facts

  • Measles is a very contagious viral illness.
  • If you are vaccinated against measles, or if you lot take already had measles, you are probable to be immune to the illness.
  • 9 out of x non-allowed people will take hold of measles if exposed to the virus.
  • Measles causes fever, cough, red eyes and a cherry, blotchy rash.
  • Measles can atomic number 82 to serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
  • Vaccination is the best way to forbid measles.

What is measles?

Measles is a very contagious viral disease, best known for its feature red blotchy rash. Measles tin can be very serious. The complications that can come with measles tin can pb to hospitalisation and even death.

Measles was very common in Commonwealth of australia before measles vaccination was added to the childhood immunisation schedule in 1971. Thank you to widespread vaccination, measles is now rare in Australia, just sometimes outbreaks notwithstanding occur when infected people enter from overseas.

This page focuses on communication for adults and children higher up v years of age. You tin can find information about measles during pregnancy and in babies and younger children on the Pregnancy, Nativity and Baby website.

What are the symptoms of measles?

The symptoms of measles commonly appear about ten days after exposure to an infected person.

The most characteristic symptom of measles is a blotchy red rash, but this is not usually the first symptom.

Measles usually starts as a influenza-like disease lasting for between 2 and 4 days with symptoms that include:

  • fever
  • tiredness
  • astringent cough
  • cherry eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • runny olfactory organ
  • white spots in the oral fissure (known every bit Koplik spots)

On days 3 to 7 of the illness, the rash appears. It is ordinarily cherry-red and blotchy, but not itchy.

A measles rash generally starts at the head and then spreads down to the rest of the torso. It commonly lasts 4 – seven days.

Image of measles rash
Measles rash has red, slightly raised spots and may be blotchy but not itchy.

Other symptoms may develop if the infection leads to complications, then if y'all accept measles and new symptoms appear or the current symptoms worsen, speak to your medico.

Bank check YOUR SYMPTOMS — Utilise the rashes and pare problems Symptom Checker and notice out if you need to seek medical assistance.

What causes measles and how is it spread?

Measles is acquired by a virus.

Measles is spread through contact with an infected person — for instance, when they cough or sneeze nearby. It can also be spread if you lot come into contact with virus particles that remain in the air or on surfaces, even if the infected person has already left the area. Virus particles can stay in a room and infect others for upwards to 2 hours after an infected person leaves it.

Measles is very contagious, and people are ordinarily contagious from around 5 days before the rash appears to around 4 days later information technology has appeared.

Upwards to 9 in every 10 people who are non immune to measles — including people who accept never been sick with or vaccinated confronting measles — will catch it if they come into contact with an infected person.

If y'all recollect you have measles, it is important to stay domicile from childcare, schoolhouse or work to finish yous from spreading the infection. Your physician will review your symptoms to determine if you accept measles, and to recommend when you can go back to school or work.

Measles is a notifiable illness. This means that the doctor who diagnoses measles needs to report the case to the local health regime, who tin can take steps to preclude or control an outbreak. Since measles is very contagious, this ordinarily involves a process called contact tracing. After speaking to the person with measles, contact tracers try to identify anyone who has had shut contact with them recently.

People who are not immune to measles simply who had close contact with an infected person can so be offered treatments — known as postal service-exposure prophylaxis. In this way, they reduce their gamble of getting ill with measles and continuing to spread the virus.

Post-exposure prophylaxis for measles usually involves vaccination, or for those unable to exist vaccinated, a medicine containing antibodies against measles.

Who is at take chances of measles?

Anyone of whatever historic period can catch measles if they are not immune. Y'all are considered immune to measles if you take been ill with information technology in the by or if you lot have had a course of measles vaccinations.

In Australia, people born before 1966 are generally considered to be immune since it is very probable that they caught measles in childhood.

People with weakened immune systems (for example, those who are receiving chemotherapy) are more than probable to catch measles if exposed, and to endure from complications.

Measles and pregnancy

Catching measles during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or preterm labour.

Measles vaccinations are not recommended during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, encounter your physician for a pre-formulation health check. This ordinarily includes making sure that you are allowed to infections like measles.

When should I see my doctor?

You lot should speak to your md if yous recollect that you or your kid has measles, to make certain you get an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will as well propose you on how to best protect people in your household. It is important for the local wellness regime to know almost cases of measles in the customs so they can act quickly and control the spread.

Measles is very contagious, then it's important to call your medico before you plan a visit to the clinic. Otherwise, you may infect others. Ask your physician almost the possibility of a home visit or telehealth date, such equally a phone or video call.

Encounter your md urgently if y'all are concerned, or if you take astringent symptoms that include:

  • trouble breathing
  • high fever
  • cervix stiffness
  • severe drowsiness
  • earache
  • diarrhoea

These can be signs that y'all are developing complications from measles and may need urgent medical handling.

Find A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder tin help y'all find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Inquire YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for full general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is measles diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose measles by asking you about your symptoms and looking at your rash. They may besides ask if you've been in recent contact with anyone infected with measles, and near your vaccination history.

If your doc thinks you have measles, they may refer you for a blood test, urine exam or a swab of your nose or throat. These tests can confirm the diagnosis.

How is measles treated?

There is no specific medicine or treatment available to treat measles. Antibiotics will not help you recover from measles because the affliction is caused past a virus, non bacteria.

Strategies to try to relieve your symptoms at home include:

  • getting enough of rest
  • drinking enough fluids
  • taking paracetamol to relieve fever

If your symptoms are severe or you experience complications, you many need to be treated in hospital.

How can I prevent measles?

Vaccination is the all-time mode to foreclose measles.

A two-dose grade of a measles vaccine is 99% constructive at preventing infection by the virus that causes measles.

The measles vaccine is given as office of a combination vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (known as MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (known equally MMR-V). Both are very effective and have similar side effects. Your doctor can advise which vaccine is correct for you.

Children are offered 2 doses of measles vaccine for free, based on the National Immunisation Plan Schedule at 12 and 18 months of age.

If you were born in or after 1966 and you lot oasis't received vaccination against measles, speak to your doc most getting vaccinated.

Vaccination against measles is strongly recommended for non-allowed people who work in childcare, aged care or healthcare, too as for travellers.

Measles vaccination is not recommended for pregnant women or people who have a weakened immune organisation.

At what age is vaccination recommended?

Children anile over 12 months: The vaccine is usually given at 12 and xviii months of age.

Adults: Vaccination is recommended for those built-in in or since 1966 who have not already been vaccinated confronting measles.

How many doses?

2

How is the vaccine administered? The vaccine is given by injection.
Is information technology free?

Measles vaccination is costless for people under 20 years of historic period and for refugees of any age entering Australia on the National Immunisation Plan.

Your physician may charge a consultation fee for your visit. You can find your nearest bulk billing (no fee) GP clinic using the healthdirect Service Finder tool.

Common side effects

Vaccination confronting measles is very safe, just side effects tin occur. Common side effects include redness at the injection site, a rash or a fever.

Side effects of measles vaccination unremarkably occur about a calendar week after receiving it.


What complications can come with measles?

ane in x people who grab measles will experience complications that can cause life-long effects or, occasionally, death.

Complications include:

  • ear infection
  • lung infection (pneumonia)
  • inflammation of the brain or the lining of the brain (meningitis or encephalitis)

Resource and support

For more data about immunisation in Commonwealth of australia, visit the Department of Health Immunisation website.

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Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/measles

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