Measles Update - as of 12/2/24

Basic facts

  • Like COVID, measles is spread easily from person to person in close contact

  • It takes 10 to 12 days after you’ve been in contact with the person who had the virus before your symptoms start

    Symptoms include

    • A red rash that at first fades under a ‘glass tumbler test’ but after another few days, does not fade under the ‘glass tumbler test’

    • The rash starts behind the ears and spreads to the whole body

    • White spots on the inside of the mouth, usually on the inner cheek

    • Red Eyes - that are sensitive to light

    • Cold and flu-like symptoms with fever and cough

    • Diarrhoea in around 10% of patients

Immunity

  • Infants are protected from birth against measles by maternal antibodies if the mother is immune to measles (This means, if mum is immune to measles, then the protection is passed from mum to baby during the pregnancy). This passive immunity gradually disappears over the second half of the first year of life. This should protect most children up until they get their first MMR dose at 12 months old.

  • The MMR vaccine, scheduled for 12-month-old babies, provides very good immunity until the MMR booster is due at 4 – 5 years of age.  The second dose of MMR does not need to be administered early in preschool children

  • Babies aged 6 months to under 12 months do not routinely need an early MMR. This should only be given if they are travelling to an area with an active measles outbreak.

  • Individuals can be assumed to be immune if either:

    • they were born in Ireland before 1978, as they were almost certainly infected with measles or

    • they have had two MMR vaccines at least four weeks apart, both given after the person’s first birthday. The MMR vaccine program was launched in 1988, and babies born from this year onwards would have been part of the vaccination program. However, as is the case at present, some parents may have chosen to not have their children vaccinated.

What to do If I think I or a family member has measles

  • If you or your child has been in contact with a confirmed case of measles, and you/they are not vaccinated, please arrange a phone call with one of our doctors to discuss what to do and whether vaccination is needed.

  • Treatment of measles is mainly symptomatic. Make sure you/your child are well hydrated, their/your temperature is controlled, that you/they are taking enough to eat, and that you are managing your/their fever correctly.

    • For children’s weight-based dosing, click here for Calpol and here for Neurofen

  • If you or your child becomes unwell with the infection, just like with COVID, please call the practice and we will make arrangements, which will be one of the following:

    • Consultation via phonecall

    • Consultation in your car - in some cases this may be necessary

    • In-person, consultation in a designated room inside the surgery, with the doctor wearing protective equipment.

  • Just as is the case with cold/flu/covid/chest infections/vomiting bugs, a lethargic child with a high fever OR a child who is not eating or drinking should be seen by a GP urgently

  • Complications of measles include chest infections (pneumonia) and ear infections.

Stopping the spread of Measles

  • It is spread similarly to COVID - so we use the same precautions we used during the COVID pandemic

  • If you have been asked to attend the surgery, please wear a mask

  • If asked to attend the surgery, this will usually be at the end of the day to stop transmission to other patients - however unwell adults and children will be seen urgently on a case-to-case basis