Measles: Fact or Myth

Measles have been making headlines recently, so we wanted to bring you the facts. It's important to understand what measles are and why vaccinations are crucial.

Myth: Measles aren't a serious illness.

Fact: Measles are a viral respiratory illness that is extremely contagious and can be serious for all age groups, especially for children under 5, adults over 20, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and even death.

Myth: Measles only spreads through direct contact.

Fact: Measles spreads through direct contact with infectious droplets or through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Myth: Measles is no longer common.

Fact: Measles is still common in many parts of the world. Travelers with measles can bring the disease into the U.S., and it can spread in communities with unvaccinated people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from January 1 to July 1, 2025, 1,267 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 38 states.

Myth: Measles are just a rash.

Measles starts with fever, general discomfort, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. This is followed by a rash that spreads from head to toe. People with measles are contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears.

Myth: Measles only affect children.

Fact: Measles can affect people of all ages. About 90% of people without immunity will get measles if they are exposed to the virus. 

• One in five unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles are hospitalized.
• One out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
• One child out of every 1,000 who gets measles will develop encephalitis, which can lead to convulsions and long-term disabilities.
• One to three of every 1,000 children will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
• Pregnant women not immune may give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby.

Myth: Vaccinations are not necessary.

Fact: Vaccinations (MMR for measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMRV, which includes the chickenpox vaccine) are essential to protect public health. Vaccination interrupts the transmission of the measles virus, protecting both the vaccinated person and unvaccinated individuals through herd immunity. To stop the spread of measles within a community, at least 95% of the population needs to be immunized.