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Measles Cases are On the Rise: Here’s What to Know

Published: March 25, 2025
Updated: March 25, 2025
4 mins

When most people think about measles, they may see it as a disease of the past. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. At its peak, measles hospitalized more than 40,000 people in the United States.

The measles vaccine was introduced in the 1950s by a team of doctors in Massachusetts led by John Franklin Enders. The first few trials were tested on thousands of children in New York City and Nigeria. In 1967, Gambia became the first country where transmission was interrupted. As science progressed, health experts created the MMR vaccine, a single-dose vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella.

In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. However, measles is making a resurgence in the United States due to misinformation and lower vaccination numbers. Fortunately, getting the measles vaccine can still help keep you safe. Still, there is a small risk of contracting the virus even if you have a vaccine since measles can spread easily in high-risk environments.

What is Measles?

Measles (rubeola) is an extremely infectious virus. It typically shows up as a rash on the surface of the skin. Babies and young children are the most at risk for contracting measles. Still, adults can still contract and spread measles as well. It’s most often transmitted during periods of high travel, like during the summer and spring.

How Does Measles Spread?

An infected person holds mucus in the nose and throat. People can spread measles by coughing, sneezing, talking, and anything else that spreads droplets from the nose and mouth. Since measles is an airborne virus, it can also live on surfaces for up to two hours.

Is Measles Contagious?

The likelihood of measles spreading is higher among unvaccinated populations. It’s most contagious within four days before and four days after symptoms appear. 

Around 90% of people exposed to measles get it unless they are already vaccinated against the virus. You may have immunity from measles from prior infection or if you received both doses of the measles vaccine as a child. Adults born before 1957 are more likely to have been exposed to measles in the past and do not require a vaccination.

Can You Die from Measles?

While measles is not as fatal as it once was, complications from it can still lead to death. The risk of death is much higher globally for those who are unvaccinated and unvaccinated children under the age of five. It can also be a high-risk virus for those who are immunocompromised as well.

The following are severe complications from measles that can be potentially fatal:

• Encephalitis: Swelling in the brain from an infection requires immediate medical attention.

• Diarrhea: Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration that can turn fatal when left untreated.

• Pneumonia: A lung infection resulting in severe breathing problems that can become fatal.

• Bronchitis: Measles can lead to inflammation in the bronchial tubes, causing breathing problems in the lungs.

What are the Symptoms of Measles?

Measles can significantly weaken the immune system and make it more vulnerable to other health conditions. One of the most identifiable symptoms of measles is a rash or small, red, or purple spots that spread on the face, neck, back, and arms.

The rash can last anywhere between seven and 18 days after being exposed to the virus. Other symptoms typically last between four and seven days.

Other symptoms an infected person may experience are as follows:

• Coughing

• Runny nose

• Red eyes

• Watery eyes

• White spots inside the cheeks

Measles can be especially harmful to pregnant women. It can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weights in newborns. Another unique symptom of a measles infection is immune amnesia. Immune amnesia is when the immune system does not remember building up immunity to a specific pathogen.

How is Measles Treated?

Treatment for the measles prioritizes managing symptoms. Similar to the flu or common cold, you want to drink plenty of water and prioritize rest to help manage symptoms.

A healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics as well to treat conditions associated with the virus. Vitamin A supplements are often recommended to prevent eye damage and reduce the severity of symptoms.

Where Have Measles Infections Increased?

The CDC reported an increase in the rate of transmission in 2025. The following states are a few that have reported cases:

• Florida

• Georgia

• Kentucky

• New York

• New Mexico

• New Jersey

• Vermont

• Washington

• Texas

Additional states have also reported at least one case of measles. Most of the reported cases in the U.S. have affected people between the ages of five and 19 and those under the age of five. Around 95% of cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals. In 2025, there have been two confirmed U.S. deaths. Still, the nationwide risk for measles is relatively low and doesn’t pose a major threat to most parts of the country.

Is the Measles Vaccine Effective?

Getting the measles vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the virus. The vaccine is around 97% effective at preventing illness related to measles. The body begins to form antibodies around two to three weeks after being vaccinated.

Today, healthcare providers recommend getting both doses of the MMR or MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) vaccine as a child. The MMRV vaccine can also protect you against chickenpox.

Measles vaccines as a child can protect you for the rest of your life. Typically, the first dose is given between 12 and 15 months, and the second dose around four and six years old. If you receive the vaccine as an adult, doses are administered at least 28 days apart.

If you live in an area experiencing a mumps outbreak, a healthcare provider may recommend getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine if you did not receive it as a child. If you are unvaccinated, you can still receive the vaccine within 72 hours of potential exposure to protect yourself.

Who is Most at Risk for Measles?

Unvaccinated individuals are the most at risk for infection. Globally, measles infections are currently rising. Countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia have been experiencing the majority of measles cases in young children.

The measles vaccine is especially important for the following individuals:

• Healthcare professionals

• International travelers

• Pregnant individuals

• Students at an educational institution

Is the Measles Vaccine Unsafe for Anyone?

A healthcare provider may recommend delaying vaccination if you have a weakened immune system that may respond poorly to the virus. For expecting parents, a healthcare provider may recommend waiting a month between getting vaccinated and trying for a baby. 

Other circumstances where a healthcare provider may recommend delaying vaccination include:

• A history of seizures

• Managing a severe illness

• A history of tuberculosis

• Receiving other vaccines in the past four weeks

• Getting a blood transfusion

• Health conditions that increase bleeding risk

• Allergic reaction to MMR or MMRV vaccines

What are the Potential Side Effects of the Measles Vaccine?

Most people don’t experience side effects after receiving the measles vaccine. However, there is always a chance of experiencing side effects. Around 10% of kids may experience a fever or other symptoms after receiving the vaccine.

Common side effects associated with the measles vaccine:

• Swelling in the arm

• Fever

• Rash

• Pain at the injection site

• High fever

Is There a Connection Between the Measles Vaccine and Autism?

The British General Medical Council rejected the study published in The Lancet claiming the measles vaccines may cause autism in 2010. Today, the author of the study is banned from practicing medicine.

Health experts concluded that the study did not include any verifiable scientific evidence to support the claim that the measles vaccine causes autism. Breastfeeding women are still safe to receive the MMR vaccine.

How Do You Pay for the Measles Vaccine?

The measles vaccine is covered by most health insurance plans. Be sure to check with your health insurance provider for in-network healthcare providers to administer the vaccine for you or your child. If you don’t have health insurance, programs like the Vaccines for Children Program provide no-cost vaccines to eligible families.

How to Prevent the Spread of Measles

The best way to prevent the spread is to get vaccinated. The following healthy habits can help reduce the spread:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.

• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

• Never sneeze directly into your hand; cover a sneeze with the elbow.

• Avoid sharing utensils with others.

• Disinfect commonly used surfaces frequently.

Where Can I Learn More About Vaccinations?

A list of approved U.S. vaccines from the CDC can help you learn more about ways to keep yourself safe from illness. At LifeMD, a licensed healthcare provider can give you guidance on vaccinations. They can also provide you with access to medications for other health conditions.

Get started today with taking control of your health and keeping yourself safe from infection.

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