Measles

 

Measles is an infection that spreads very easily. It’s unpleasant and can sometimes have serious complications. Having the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent it.

 

Anyone can get measles if they haven’t been vaccinated or they haven’t had it before. It’s most common in young children.

 

Measles usually clears in around 7 to 10 days.

 

Check if you or your child has measles

Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.

Cold-like symptoms

The first symptoms of measles include:

  • a high temperature
  • a runny or blocked nose
  • sneezing
  • a cough
  • red, sore, watery eyes

Spots in the mouth

A number of very small white spots inside a person’s mouth.

Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later. These spots usually last a few days.

The measles rash

A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms.

The measles rash on a person with white skin. The person’s arms, chest and tummy are almost completely covered with red, blotchy patches.

The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.

A close-up of the measles rash on someone with white skin, showing some raised red spots joined together to form blotchy patches.

The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They're not usually itchy.

The measles rash on the forehead of a child with light brown skin. The rash looks like pale red blotchy patches.

The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

 

Information:

If you're not sure it's measles

It's very unlikely to be measles if you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you've had measles before.

See other rashes in babies and children

Urgent advice:Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you think you or your child may have measles
  • you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and you've not had measles before or you've not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine
  • you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and you're pregnant – measles can be serious in pregnancy
  • you have a weakened immune system and think you have measles or have been in close contact with someone with measles

Measles can spread to others easily. Call your GP surgery before you go in. They may suggest talking over the phone.

You can also call 111 or get help from 111 online.

How to look after yourself or your child

Measles usually starts to get better in about a week.

After seeing a GP, there are things you can do to help ease the symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

It can help to:

  • rest and drink plenty fluids, such as water, to avoid dehydration
  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve a high temperature – do not give aspirin to children under 16 years
  • use cotton wool soaked in warm water to gently remove any crusts from your or your child's eyes

Important

Stay off nursery, school or work for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears.

Also try to avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.

How to avoid spreading or catching measles

Measles is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There are things you can do to reduce the risk of spreading or catching it.

Do

  • wash your hands often with soap and warm water

  • use tissues when you cough or sneeze

  • throw used tissues in the bin

Don’t

  • do not share cutlery, cups, towels, clothes, or bedding

Complications of measles

Measles can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain.

Problems that can be caused by measles include:

These problems are rare, but some people are more at risk. This includes babies and people with weakened immune systems.

Measles in pregnancy

If you get measles when you're pregnant, it could harm your baby.

It can cause:

It's important to get medical advice if you're pregnant and have been in close contact with someone who has measles.

Immediate action required:Call 999 or go to A&E if:

You or your child has measles and:

  • shortness of breath
  • a high temperature that does not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • confusion
  • seizures (fits)

 

Get vaccinated against measles

The MMR vaccine can prevent measles. It also protects you from mumps and rubella.

 

The MMR vaccine is offered to all children in the UK. 2 doses can give lifelong protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.

 

Ask at your GP surgery if you're not sure you or your child have had the vaccine. They can give it for free on the NHS.

 

Find out more about the MMR vaccine

 

PROTECT YOUR CHILD AGAINST MEASLES, MUMPS AND RUBELLA (MMR) AND PREVENT POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ILLNESS BY CONTACTING THEIR GP PRACTICE TO BOOK THEIR MMR VACCINE APPOINTMENT. MORE INFORMATION ON THE MMR VACCINE AT www.nhs.uk/mmr

 

Translated invite for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination – child

English

Protect your child against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and prevent potentially serious illness by contacting their GP practice to book their MMR vaccine appointment. More information on the MMR vaccine: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Albnian

Shqip

Mbroni fëmijën tuaj kundër shytave, fruthit dhe rubeolës (MMR) dhe parandaloni sëmundje potencialisht serioze duke kontaktuar klinikën e mjekut të përgjithshëm për të caktuar takimin e vaksinës MMR. Më shumë informacion mbi vaksinën MMR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Arabic

عربى

احم طفلك من النكاف، الحصبة، والحصبة الألمانية  وتجنب احتمالية إصابته بأمراض خطيرة عن طريق التواصل مع طبيبه العام من أجل حجز موعد للقاح ضد هذه الأمراض. للمزيد من المعلومات عن لقاح النكاف الحصبة والحصبة الألمانية: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Bulgarian

български

Защитете детето си от паротит (заушка), морбили и рубеола и предотвратете потенциално сериозно заболяване, като се свържете с общопрактикуващия лекар на детето и запазите час за поставяне на ваксината срещу MMR. Повече информация за ваксината срещу MMR можете да намерите на адрес: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Chinese

中文

为保护您的孩子免受流行性腮腺炎、麻疹和风疹（MMR）感染并防止潜在的严重疾病，请联系孩子的全科医生诊所预约接种MMR 疫苗。关于 MMR 疫苗的更多信息：www.nhs.uk/mmr

Chinese Cantonese

聯繫您孩子的全科醫生（GP）診所預約接種他們的 MMR 疫苗，來保護他們免受腮腺炎、麻疹和風疹 (MMR) 的侵害並預防潛在的嚴重疾病。有關MMR 疫苗的更多資訊：www.nhs.uk/mmr

Farsi

فارسی

با تعین وقت قرار ملاقات با پزشک عمومی برای دریافت دوز واکسن MMR کودک، از کودک خود در برابر اوریون، سرخک و سرخجه (MMR) محافظت نمایید و از بیماری‌هایی که به‌طور بالقوه حاد هستند پیشگیری کنید. اطلاعات بیشتر در مورد واکسن MMR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

French

Protégez votre enfant contre la rougeole, les oreillons et la rubéole (ROR) afin de prévenir l'apparition de maladies potentiellement graves; prenez rendez-vous avec le cabinet de son médecin traitant (GP) pour sa vaccination ROR (MMR en anglais). Plus d'informations sur le vaccin ROR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Greek

Ελληνικά

Προστατέψτε το παιδί σας κατά της παρωτίτιδας, της ιλαράς και της ερυθράς (MMR) και αποτρέψτε πιθανώς σοβαρή ασθένεια επικοινωνώντας με το τοπικό σας ιατρείο για να κλείσετε ραντεβού για το εμβόλιο MMR του παιδιού σας. Περισσότερες πληροφορίες για το εμβόλιο MMR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Gujarati

ગુજરાતી

તમારા બાળકને ગાલપચોળિયાં, ઓરી અને

રૂબેલા એમએમઆર (MMR) સામે રક્ષણ 

આપો અને તેમની એમએમઆર(MMR) રસી 

ની એપોઇન્ટમેન્ટ બુક કરાવવા માટે તેમની

 જીપી(GP) પ્રેક્ટિસનો સંપર્ક કરીને 

સંભવિત ગંભીર બીમારીને અટકાવો. 

 એમએમઆર (MMR) રસી વિશે વધુ માહિતી: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Hindi

हिन्दी

अपने बच्चे को मम्प्स, मीसल्स और रूबेला 

(MMR) से बचाएं और उनकी MMR वैक्सीन 

अपॉइंटमेंट बुक करने के लिए उनके जीपी 

प्रैक्टिस से संपर्क करके संभावित गंभीर 

बीमारी को रोकें।MMR वैक्सीन के बारे 

में अधिक जानकारी यहाँ देखें:

www.nhs.uk/mmr

Latvian

Latviski

Aizsargājiet savu bērnu pret epidēmisko parotītu, masalām un masaliņām (Mumps, Measles, Rubella – MMR) un novērsiet potenciāli smagu slimību, sazinoties ar ģimenes ārsta praksi un piesakoties MMR vakcīnai. Vairāk informācijas par MMR vakcīnu: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Lithuanian

Lietuvių

Apsaugokite savo vaiką nuo kiaulytės, tymų ir raudonukės (angl. MMR) ir užkirskite kelią potencialiai rimtoms ligoms susisiekę su savo šeimos gydytojo poliklinika ir užsisakykite vizitą dėl MMR vakcinos. Daugiau informacijos apie MMR vakciną rasite: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Punjabi

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ

ਆਪਣੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਨੂੰ ਕੰਨ ਪੇੜੇ, ਖਸਰਾ ਅਤੇ ਰੁਬੈਲਾ (MMR) ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਓ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਹਿਲੀ MMR ਵੈਕਸੀਨ ਅਪਾਇੰਟਮੈਂਟ ਬੁੱਕ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਜੀਪੀ ਪ੍ਰੈਕਟਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਕਰਕੇ ਸੰਭਾਵੀ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਬਿਮਾਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਕੋ। MMR ਵੈਕਸੀਨ ਬਾਰੇ ਹੋਰ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Polish

Polski

Chroń swoje dziecko przed odrą, świnką i różyczką (MMR) i zapobiegnij potencjalnie poważnej chorobie, kontaktując się z lekarzem pierwszego kontaktu w celu rezerwacji terminu szczepionki MMR. Więcej informacji na temat szczepionki MMR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Portuguese (Brazil)

Portugues (Brasil)

Proteja seu filho contra o sarampo, a caxumba, e a rubéola (SCR) e previna doenças potencialmente graves entrando em contato com o posto de saúde (GP) para agendar a vacina tríplice viral SCR do seu filho. Para mais informações sobre a vacina tríplice viral SCR visite: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Portuguese (Portugal)

Portugues (Portugal)

Proteja o seu filho contra o sarampo, papeira e rubéola (VASPR/MMR) e previna doenças potencialmente graves ao entrar em contacto com o seu médico de família (GP) para marcar a sua consulta da vacina VASPR/MMR. Para mais informações sobre a vacina VASPR/MMR visite: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Romanian

Română

Protejați-vă copilul împotriva orieonului, a pojarului și a rubeolei (MMR) și preveniți o boală potențial gravă prin contactarea clinicii medicului de familie pentru a solicita programarea pentru vaccinarea MMR. Mai multe informații despre vaccinul MMR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Russian

Русский

Защитите своего ребенка от свинки, кори и краснухи (MMR) и предотвратите потенциально серьезное заболевание, связавшись со своим врачом общей практики, чтобы записаться на прием для получения вакцины MMR. Чтобы получить больше информации о вакцине MMR, перейдите по ссылке: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Somali

Soomaali

Ka ilaali ilmahaaga Mumps, Measles iyo Rubella (MMR) kana hortag jiro halis noqon karta adigoo la xiriiraya xarunta GP-gaaga si aad u qabsato ballantooda tallaalka MMR. Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan talaalka MMR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Spanish

Español

Para proteger a su hijo/a contra las paperas, el sarampión y la rubéola y prevenir enfermedades potencialmente graves, póngase en contacto con su médico de cabecera y reserve su cita para la vacuna triple vírica (MMR, por sus siglas en inglés). Encontrará más información sobre la vacuna triple vírica en: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Tagalog

Tagalog

Protektahan ang iyong anak laban sa Beke, Tigdas, at Rubella (Mumps, Measles, Rubella o MMR) at pigilan ang posibleng malalang sakit sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanilang Doktor para magpa-appointment para sa kanilang bakuna laban sa MMR. Para sa higit pang impormasyon tungkol sa bakuna laban sa MMR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Turkish

Türkçe

Çocuğunuzu Kabakulak, Kızamık ve Kızamıkçığa (MMR) karşı koruyun ve MMR aşısı randevusunu almak için aile hekimleriyle (GP) iletişime geçerek ciddi olma potansiyeli olan hastalıkları önleyin. MMR aşısı hakkında daha fazla bilgi: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Twi

Hwɛ sɛ woabɔ w’abɔfra no ho ban afiri Gyemmirekutu, Ntɛnkyɛm ne Ntɛnkyɛm kɔkɔɔ (MMR) na si yareɛ a ɛho yɛ hu ano berɛ a wo ne wɔn GP dwumayɛni no reyɛ nhyehɛeɛ ahyia akɔgye wɔn MMR aduro a ɛdi kan no. Nsɛm pii a ɛfa MMR aduro no ho wɔ: www.nhs.uk/mmr 

Ukrainian

Українська

Захистіть вашу дитину від епідемічного паротиту, кору і краснухи та уникніть потенційно серйозних захворювань, записавшись на прийом до лікаря загальної практики на щеплення вакциною проти MMR. Детальніше про вакцину проти MMR: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Urdu

اُردُو

اپنے بچوں کو کن پیڑے (Mumps)، خسرہ اور روبیلا (MMR) سے بچائیں اور (MMR) ویکسین کے لیے ان کے GP پریکٹس کے ساتھ اپائنٹمنٹ طے کر کے انہیں سنگین نوعیت کی ممکنہ بیماری سے محفوظ رکھیں۔ MMR ویکسین کے بارے میں مزید معلومات کے لیے ملاحظہ کریں: www.nhs.uk/mmr

Yiddish

יידיש

באשיצט אײער קינד אנטקעגן מאמפס, מאזלען און רובעלא (MMR) און פארמײדט מעגליך ערנסטע קראנקײט: פארבינדט זיך מיט זײער רפואה־קליניק (GP practice) צו מאכן זײער MMR װאקצין אפױנטמענט. מער אינפארמאציע װעגן די MMR װאקצין׃ www.nhs.uk/mmr

BSL video: Measles – don’t let your child catch it

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

This video addresses common questions about measles and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. It explains why children need two doses for protection against these serious illnesses.

Published: Feb 5, 2024