What is measles?

Measles is a very contagious viral illness. Measles can lead to serious illnesses or even death.

Measles was very common in Australia before measles vaccination (known as MMR) became available in the mid-1970s. You can now prevent yourself or your child from catching measles with vaccination.

Australia was declared free of measles in 2014. Sometimes outbreaks still happen when travellers are infected overseas and bring measles back to Australia.

Measles is becoming more common around the world. There is a concern that measles infection is rising in Australia too. This is partly because fewer children have been vaccinated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When fewer people are vaccinated, it's easier for the virus to spread.

This page focuses on advice for adults and children older than 5 years of age. Visit the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website to learn more about:

• measles during pregnancy
• measles in babies and younger children

What are the symptoms of measles?

The symptoms of measles usually appear about 10 to 14 days after exposure to an infected person.

Measles usually starts as a flu-like illness that lasts for between 2 and 4 days. Symptoms include:

• fever
• feeling unwell
• severe cough
• conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• runny nose
• white spots in the mouth (known as Koplik spots)

After a few days, a rash appears. It's usually red and blotchy, but not itchy. A measles rash usually starts on your face and spreads to the rest of the body. It usually lasts 4 to 7 days.

What causes measles?

Measles is caused by a virus.

How is measles spread?

Measles is spread through contact with fluid or mucus from the mouth or nose of an infected person. This may be from:

• coughing and sneezing
• touching objects that have infected body fluids on them

Measles virus particles can stay in a room and infect others for up to 2 hours. The virus can be in the air or on surfaces.

You are usually contagious from around the day before you feel unwell until 4 days after your rash appears.

Measles is very contagious. Up to 9 in every 10 people who are not immune to measles will get measles if they are exposed to an infected person. You will be immune against measles if you have:

• been vaccinated against measles
• previously been sick with measles

Who is at risk of getting measles?

Anyone can catch measles if they are not immune.

People with weakened immune systems are more likely to become severely unwell.

Measles and pregnancy

If you are planning a pregnancy, see your doctor for a pre-conception health check. This usually includes making sure that you are immune to infections like measles.

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

Do not have the measles vaccine if you are pregnant.

When should I see my doctor?

If you think you may have measles, call your doctor straight away. You should also speak with your doctor if you have been in contact with someone with measles.

Do not go to the clinic, because you could infect people in the waiting room. Rather, call your doctor and they will let you know the safest way to see them. Ask your doctor if a home visit or telehealth appointment is an option.

Your doctor will also advise you on how to best protect other people in your household.

Measles is a notifiable disease. This means that the doctor who diagnoses measles needs to report the case to the local health authorities. They will take steps to prevent or control an outbreak. Since measles is very contagious, this usually involves a process called contact tracing. Contact tracers will speak with you to identify anyone who has had close contact with you recently.

If you have measles and new symptoms appear or you feel worse, speak to your doctor.

How is measles diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose measles by asking you about your symptoms and looking at your rash. They may also ask if you've been in contact with someone infected with measles.

If your doctor thinks you have measles, they may refer you for blood tests, a urine test or a swab from your nose or throat. The results of these tests can confirm the diagnosis.

How is measles treated?

If you think you have measles, it is important to stay home to stop the spread of infection. Your doctor will tell you when you can go back to school or work.

There is no specific medicine available to treat measles. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin A to help prevent complications.

There are things that you can do to try to ease your symptoms at home:

• get plenty of rest
• drink lots of fluids
• take paracetamol to relieve any symptoms of fever — be sure to read the instructions on the packet

Antibiotics will not help you recover from measles because the illness is caused by a virus, not bacteria.

If your symptoms are severe or you experience complications, you may need treatment in hospital.

What happens if I've been in contact with someone with measles?

If you have had close contact with an infected person and aren't immune to measles, you will be offered treatment. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis and it reduces your chance of getting sick.

Post-exposure prophylaxis for measles usually involves vaccination with the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) or MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella) vaccine. For this to work best, you should have the vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to measles.

If you can't have the vaccine, or if you have a weakened immune system, your doctor may give you a medicine with antibodies against measles. For this to work, you should take the medicine within 6 days of exposure.

Ask your doctor or contact your local public health unit to find out about treatment.

What are the complications of measles infection?

Measles can be a very serious illness, with some people needing to go to hospital. About 1 in 10 people who get measles suffer from complications. Complications can cause long-term problems or, sometimes, death.

Measles complications are more common in people who:

• have a weakened immune system
• are younger than 5 years of age or older than 20 years of age
• have poor nutrition
• are pregnant

Complications may include:

• otitis media (middle ear infection)
• pneumonia (lung infection)
• eye problems and blindness
• encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication that can happen several years after having measles. It affects the brain and can lead to death.

Can measles be prevented?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles.

The measles vaccine is given as part of a combination vaccination that protects against several viruses. There are 2 options:

• measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (known as MMR)
• measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (known as MMRV)

Both are very effective and have similar side effects. Your doctor can advise which vaccine is right for you.

In Australia, measles vaccination is 99% effective at preventing infection by the measles virus after 2 doses.

Who should be vaccinated?

In Australia, all children are recommended to have 2 doses of the measles vaccine, at 12 months and 18 months of age. The vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Read more on immunisation and vaccinations for your child.

Vaccination against measles is also strongly recommended for non-immune people who:

• work in child care
• work in aged care
• work in health care
• are travelling — especially to a country with a high rate of measles infection

If you were born before 1966 ask your doctor if you should have a blood test to check your immunity, for example if you are travelling overseas.

The measles vaccination should not be given if you:

• are pregnant
• have a weakened immune system

You should avoid pregnancy for 28 days after vaccination. It's important to use contraception for at least a month after your second vaccination.

Is the measles vaccine safe?

Measles vaccines are safe from the age of 6 months. The MMR and MMRV vaccines can cause side effects, but they are usually mild — such as redness or pain at the site of the injection, fever or a rash.

Fewer than 1 in 1000 children will have a febrile convulsion (seizure from a fever) after measles vaccination. More serious side effects of vaccination are very rare, and the chance of serious illness from catching measles is much higher.

There is no evidence that MMR or MMRV vaccination causes autism spectrum disorder or inflammatory bowel disease.

Read more on side effects of medicines including vaccines.

How can I avoid catching measles when travelling overseas?

Before you travel, check your immunisation history to see if you have had the measles vaccine. If you haven't, talk to your doctor about getting the vaccine.

You can find more information on the Smartraveller website.

If you are travelling with a baby to a country with a high rate of measles, they should have the vaccine if they are aged 6 months or older. They will still need to have 2 more doses of measles vaccine after 12 months of age.

Resources and support

For more information about immunisation in Australia, visit the Department of Health Immunisation website.

Immunisation History Statements are available from the Australian Immunisation Register.

Visit the Smartraveller website for information about avoiding measles when travelling overseas.

If you want to know more about measles or need advice on what to do next, call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

Find information about measles vaccination in a number of community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Visit Vaccination for Our Mob for information about measles and vaccination.