What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles symptoms usually start 7 to 21 days after a person is exposed. On average, most people will start experiencing symptoms 10 to 14 days after exposure.

Early symptoms may include:

• High fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes

• Small white spots inside the mouth

A red, blotchy rash often starts 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms begin. The rash usually starts on the face and then spreads down the body.

Measles can also cause serious health problems, including pneumonia, dehydration, and swelling of the brain.

What should I do if I have symptoms?

If you have measles symptoms, especially if you may have been exposed:

Call your healthcare provider before you go to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room.

Calling first gives healthcare staff time to protect other patients and staff from measles.

Learn More About Measles Symptoms

What should I do if I was exposed?

Being exposed does not always mean you will get sick.

Your risk depends on whether you are protected against measles and how close you were to the sick person.

If you think you were exposed:

• Check your MMR vaccine records.

• Watch for symptoms for 21 days after your last exposure.

• Call your healthcare provider or Outagamie County Public Health for guidance.

• Tell your healthcare provider about the exposure before you go in for care.

In some cases, the MMR vaccine or another treatment may help prevent measles if it is given soon after exposure.

If you think you were exposed or have measles, stay home to lower the risk of making others sick. Do not go to public places unless absolutely necessary until your status is confirmed by your healthcare provider or Outagamie County Public Health.

When can someone with measles spread it?

A person with measles can spread the virus about four days before the rash starts through four days after the rash begins.

Measles spreads through the air. The virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after a sick person leaves the area.

Call Outagamie County Public Health About an Exposure

How can I protect myself and my family?

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.

One dose is about 93% effective.

Children usually get:

• First dose at 12 to 15 months 

• Second dose at 4 to 6 years

Some people may need the vaccine earlier because of travel, an outbreak, or a known exposure. In these situations, the vaccine can be given to an infant as early as 6 months.

How do I know if I am protected?

You may be protected against measles if you:

• Have records showing you received the recommended MMR vaccine doses

• Have a blood test showing protection against measles

• Meet other guidelines based on your age and health history

If you are not sure whether you are protected, talk with your healthcare provider or Outagamie County Public Health.

Wisconsin residents can also look up vaccine records in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR).

Check My Wisconsin Vaccine Record

Learn About the MMR Vaccine

Should I get a measles booster?

What should I know before I travel?

Measles can spread quickly between communities and across state or country borders.

Wisconsin has reported active measles outbreaks, so it is important to make sure you and your family are protected before traveling.

Before you travel:

• Review vaccine records to make sure travelers are up to date on the MMR vaccine.

• Check if the area you are traveling to has any active measles cases.

• Talk with your healthcare provider if you are not sure whether you are protected.

• Ask your healthcare provider about early vaccination for infants or other special recommendations before travel.

• Watch for measles symptoms during and after your trip.

What if I was exposed while traveling?

If you think you were exposed to measles while traveling:

• Call your healthcare provider or Outagamie County Public Health for guidance.

• Check your MMR vaccine records.

• Watch for symptoms for 21 days after your last possible exposure.

• Avoid going to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room without calling first if symptoms develop.

Calling ahead helps healthcare staff protect other patients and staff.

What if I am traveling outside the United States?

Measles is still common in many parts of the world.

Travelers should make sure they are protected against measles before leaving the United States. Some infants and adults may need the MMR vaccine on a different schedule before international travel.

Talk with your healthcare provider before your trip if you are unsure what vaccines you need.

Check My Wisconsin Vaccine Record

View Current Measles Information in Wisconsin

What should I do if my child was exposed?

Call your child's healthcare provider or Outagamie County Public Health as soon as possible.

Have your child's vaccine records ready if you can.

What happens next will depend on your child's age, vaccine history, health, and when the exposure happened.

Watch your child for symptoms for 21 days after the last exposure.

If your child develops symptoms:

• Keep them home.

• Avoid visitors and public places.

• Call their healthcare provider before bringing them in for care.

Can my child still go to school or childcare?

It depends on whether your child is protected against measles.

Children who are not protected may need to stay home after an exposure.

Outagamie County Public Health will tell you if your child needs to stay home and for how long.

When should I get emergency help?

Get medical help right away if your child has:

• Trouble breathing

• Signs of severe dehydration

• Extreme sleepiness or trouble waking up

• A seizure

• Confusion

• Symptoms that are getting worse quickly

If you think your child may have measles, call the healthcare facility before you arrive whenever possible.

Check My Child's Vaccine Record

Can I take part in recreational activities after a measles exposure?

It depends on whether you are protected against measles and whether Outagamie County Public Health has asked you to stay home.

If you were exposed to measles but are protected, you may be able to continue normal activities unless Outagamie County Public Health gives you different instructions.

If you are not protected against measles, Outagamie County Public Health may ask you to stay home and avoid public places for a period of time after the exposure.

This may include avoiding:

• Community centers

• Gyms and fitness classes

• Libraries

• Camps

• Clubs and group activities

• Indoor play areas

• Parties and social events

• Other crowded public places

Measles spreads very easily through the air. A person can spread measles before they know they are sick.

What if I develop symptoms?

If you develop fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, or a rash:

• Stay home and avoid contact with others.

• Do not go to recreational activities or public places.

• Call your healthcare provider before going in for care.

• Tell your provider that you may have been exposed to measles.

• Follow any instructions from Outagamie County Public Health.

Call Outagamie County Public Health About an Exposure

What should schools and childcare centers know?

Measles can spread very quickly in schools and childcare settings.

If someone may have measles:

• Keep the person away from others.

• Contact Outagamie County Public Health right away.

• Ask the person or family to call their healthcare provider before going in for care.

• Be ready to share attendance records, class lists, staff lists, and vaccine records if Outagamie County Public Health asks for them.

• Follow Outagamie County Public Health guidance about staying home, family notices, and returning to school or childcare.

Children or staff who are not protected against measles may need to stay home for a period of time after an exposure.

Outagamie County Public Health will work with the school or childcare center to explain what steps are needed.

Should schools contact families?

Outagamie County Public Health can help schools decide if families need to be told about an exposure.

Schools and childcare centers should work with Outagamie County Public Health before sending a large notice whenever possible.

View Measles Guidance for Schools(PDF, 2MB)

Call Outagamie County Public Health

What should I do if an employee may have measles?

If an employee has measles symptoms or says they were exposed:

• Ask them to stay home.

• Tell them to call their healthcare provider.

• Remind them to call before going to a hospital or clinic for care.

• Contact Outagamie County Public Health if measles is confirmed or if you have questions.

• Be ready to help identify workers or visitors who may have been exposed.

Outagamie County Public Health will help decide who may have been exposed and what steps are needed.

Do I need to close my workplace?

Usually, no.

Outagamie County Public Health will review the situation and tell you what steps to take.

Closing a workplace is not always needed.

Cleaning alone will not stop measles because the virus mainly spreads through the air.

When can an employee return to work?

It depends on whether the employee has measles, was only exposed, and whether they are protected against measles.

Follow guidance from Outagamie County Public Health and the employee's healthcare provider.

Call Outagamie County Public Health About a Workplace Exposure

What should healthcare providers do if they think a patient has measles?

Consider measles if a patient has symptoms of a fever and rash, and they:

• Recently traveled

• Were exposed to someone with measles

• Do not have proof that they are protected against measles

If measles is suspected:

• Put a mask on the patient if they can wear one.

• Keep the patient away from other patients.

• Place the patient directly in a room instead of the waiting area.

• Use airborne infection control steps.

• Contact Outagamie County Public Health right away, preferably prior to testing.

• Work with Outagamie County Public Health before testing when possible.

Should a patient with suspected measles go to the emergency room?

Not always.

Patients should only be sent to the emergency room when they need emergency care.

If the patient needs to go to another healthcare facility, call the facility before the patient arrives.

What information should I give Outagamie County Public Health?

Be ready to share:

• The patient's symptoms

• When symptoms started 

• When the rash started

• Vaccine history

• Recent travel

• Known measles exposures

• Healthcare locations the patient visited

• Testing that has been done or is planned

• Contact information

Report suspected measles as soon as possible so Outagamie County Public Health can begin follow-up.

Report a Suspected Measles Case to Outagamie County Public Health

Wisconsin Measles Information for Healthcare Providers

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Measles Testing and Public Health Notification: Guidance For Wisconsin Clinicians

When to Suspect and Test for Measles

Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Clinical Testing Services

Can my child play sports after a measles exposure?

It depends on whether your child is protected against measles and whether Outagamie County Public Health has asked them to stay home.

Children who are protected against measles may be able to continue practices and games unless Outagamie County Public Health gives different instructions.

Children who are not protected against measles may need to stay home and avoid practices, games, tournaments, team events, and other group activities after an exposure.

Outagamie County Public Health will tell families if a child needs to stay home and for how long.

What should parents and coaches do?

If a child may have been exposed to measles:

• Check the child's MMR vaccine record.

• Follow instructions from Outagamie County Public Health.

• Watch for symptoms for 21 days after the last exposure.

• Keep the child home if symptoms develop.

• Do not send a child with possible measles symptoms to practice, a game, or a tournament.

• Call the child's healthcare provider before bringing them in for care.

Coaches and youth sports leaders should contact Outagamie County Public Health if they are told that a player, coach, official, or volunteer has confirmed measles.

Outagamie County Public Health can help decide who may have been exposed and what steps are needed.

What about tournaments and travel teams?

Sports tournaments and travel teams can bring together people from many schools and communities. This can make it easier for measles to spread.

Before traveling for sports, families should make sure their children are up to date on the MMR vaccine.

If your child was recently exposed to measles, contact Outagamie County Public Health before attending a tournament or traveling with the team.

Check My Child's Vaccine Record

Call Outagamie County Public Health