Measles in California: How to Stay Safe 

You’ve likely seen the headlines about how measles is spreading across the U.S. Half of the states in the country have reported cases of measles this year, including California, which has had nine, says Jeffrey Silvers, M.D., Sutter Health’s Medical Director of Pharmacy and Infection Control. For a disease many of us thought was in the past, this sudden rise in cases can feel alarming. 

There is a silver lining: Measles is preventable. “We have over 50 years of experience with the current measles vaccine and know that it is safe and effective,” Dr. Silvers says.

Discover what you need to know about measles, common symptoms and the simple steps that will help keep your family healthy and safe.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a viral infection that spreads through the air when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes or even talks. The virus is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

In crowded places like airports, public transportation or classrooms, measles transmission can happen fast — particularly if people aren’t vaccinated. People who are vaccinated are not likely to get infected. 

Measles Symptoms

If you’ve been exposed to measles, symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days later. It’s important to note that measles symptoms develop over time.

The early symptoms of measles are easy to mistake for other conditions, like the flu. This is because people tend to feel very sick. The first signs of measles include a high fever, up to 104 degrees. This is frequently associated with some combination of:

• Dry cough
• Red or watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots), which can be very difficult to see. They are most frequently seen on the cheek near the wisdom teeth.

A few days after you start having symptoms, a measles rash develops. The rash usually starts on the face near the hairline and then spreads down the body. The rash begins as flat red spots that later merge into red patches of raised and flat skin. The spots appear red on lighter skin, and they can be darker or more purple on darker skin. 

Complications of Measles

While most people recover fully, measles can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, ear infections with loss of hearing, blindness and encephalitis (swelling in the brain). If you have measles while pregnant, it can also lead to complications like preterm birth and low birth weight.  

There are some risk factors that make it more likely that you’ll experience complications from measles. The illness is especially risky for infants, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems. 

How To Prevent Measles and Its Complications

The recent spread of measles is concerning, but we have a strong tool to stop it. The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) is the most effective way to prevent measles. The vaccine is safe for children and adults, and it’s the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against measles. According to the CDC, two doses are about 97% effective at preventing disease.

“The vaccine itself is safe, and it can prevent people from getting measles and its complications,” Dr. Silvers says.

The national vaccination guidelines recommend:

• First dose at 12 to 15 months old
• Second dose at 4 to 6 years old (before school starts)
• Timing of the vaccines can sometimes be modified before travel to an area with a known measles outbreak or for international destinations. Contact your provider well in advance for these situations.

Not sure if you or your kids are up to date? You can check your vaccine records in your My Health Online account. If you don’t have an account, our care teams can check your immunization history and help schedule any missed doses. 

Stay Safe During a Measles Outbreak

Protecting yourself during a measles outbreak starts with a few simple but important steps:

• Avoid taking unvaccinated children and infants to crowded places during a measles outbreak.
• Review your vaccination records and get vaccinated.
• Watch for early symptoms, especially if you’ve been in public places.
• Contact your primary care provider with any concerns, including if you think you’ve been exposed to measles.

While seeing cases of measles on the rise is scary, getting vaccinated is a strong way to protect your health and the health of your family. Making sure you’re up to date on your vaccinations and asking your primary care provider any questions you have will help you minimize your risk of getting measles.