Measles usually begins with a cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and high fever. Some people may also develop a sensitivity to light.  

These first symptoms last about 3-5 days and are followed by a rash that typically begins on the face and neck and moves down to the rest of the body. The rash looks like small, blotchy, red spots. Small white spots (called Koplik spots) may also appear on the gums and inside the cheeks.  Sometimes, immunocompromised patients do not develop a rash.

Photos of the measles rash can be found on the CDC website.

Measles symptoms appear 7-21 days after exposure to the virus, with an average incubation period of 11-12 days. The signature rash appears an average of 14 days after you are exposed. You can spread measles to others 4 days before and after your rash appears. It is possible to spread measles even if you don’t have any symptoms.

The acute illness usually lasts 10-14 days if you don’t have complications. Complications of measles can last for several weeks and can cause hospitalization or even death. These complications include:

• Diarrhea and vomiting leading to severe dehydration  
• Ear infection
• Bronchitis
• Croup
• Pneumonia
• Swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
• Permanent brain damage

Measles can have lasting effects, even after you get better. The measles virus can erase your immune system’s memory, making you vulnerable to other illnesses even if you were previously immune. This is called immune amnesia.

In children who are immunocompromised, measles can cause a rare brain infection called measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) months after acute measles infection. MIBE cause inflammation in the brain and often causes death.

Measles can also cause an infection of the central nervous system called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) years after measles. Unlike MIBE, SSPE can affect children, teens, and young adults who are otherwise healthy. SSPE is often causes death.

There are no known current exposure locations in Cleveland, Ohio.

If you have been exposed to measles, CDPH will ask you for evidence of immunity to measles. Evidence of immunity to measles includes:

• A written record showing you have received 1 or more doses of a measles vaccine. People who are at high risk of being exposed (for example healthcare workers, international travelers, or college students) must have record of receiving 2 doses of a measles vaccine.
• Results from a lab test (called a titer check) showing that you have antibodies against measles.
• A medical record showing you have already had measles.  
• Being born before 1957.  

If you are considered immune, you will be asked to monitor yourself for symptoms of measles for 21 days after you were exposed.  

If you are not immune, you may be able to prevent or reduce severity of the disease by receiving the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure. If you get your first dose of the vaccine with the 72-hour timeframe, you can return to work or school (unless you work in a healthcare setting). You will be asked to monitor yourself for symptoms of measles for 21 days after you were exposed.  

If you are not immune and you choose not to get a dose of the MMR vaccine, you will be required to quarantine at home away from others for 21 days after you were exposed.

Some people cannot get the vaccine (pregnant people, infants younger than 12 months, people with certain medical conditions). In this case, your doctor might recommend getting immune globulin within 6 days of exposure to lower your risk of infection.

Contact a health care provider by phone BEFORE going to a medical office or emergency department, unless you are experiencing a medical emergency. Special arrangements can be made for your evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.

The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children can get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox (varicella) too. It is safe to get the measles vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. Children get their first dose of the MMR or MMRV vaccine when they are 12 – 15 months old. They can get the second dose between 4 – 6 years old. If you weren’t vaccinated as child, you can still get the MMR vaccine as an adult.

One dose of the MMR or MMRV vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles. Two doses are 97% effective. In the rare event that you get measles even though you are vaccinated, you will typically have a much milder illness with fewer complications. You are also less likely to spread the virus to others compared to unvaccinated people.

CDPH offers measles vaccines during our childhood immunizations clinics at the Blanket Mill Health Center and at the J. Glen Smith Health Center.

The number of measles cases reported in the US each year has been on the rise since 2018. So far in 2026, Ohio has seen more than 200 reported cases, the most in any year in the state in over a decade. The Ohio Department of Health publishes the number of measles cases per county.