June 12, 2026

Measles: Why It's Serious and How to Check Your Immunity

Measles: Why It's Serious & How to Check Your Immunity

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can cause serious complications. If you're unsure whether you're protected, a simple blood test can help determine your immunity status.

Measles may seem like a mild disease, but it’s actually very serious. In the United States, about 1 in 5 people who contract measles require hospitalization. ¹.

It is one of the world’s most contagious diseases. If one person has it, 90% of people around them who aren’t immune will also get sick.

Measles spreads easily through coughs, sneezes, or shared air and surfaces, and it can stay contagious for up to two hours ².

Measles can lead to dangerous complications including pneumonia, brain swelling, and blindness. These risks are higher for babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

 

 

Symptoms

Symptoms of measles usually begin 10–14 days after exposure to the virus and include severe flu-like symptoms accompanied by a rash. Complications from measles are common, particularly among young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.  Complications can include ²:

  • Blindness
  • Encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
  • Severe diarrhea and related dehydration
  • Ear infections
  • Severe breathing problems including pneumonia

If a woman catches measles during pregnancy, this can be dangerous for the mother and can result in her baby being born prematurely with a low birth weight.

 

Treatment

Measles is treated by managing symptoms with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications like fever reducers. Cod liver oil and other home remedies have not been shown to prevent or cure measles. Natural treatments can be ineffective and might even pose potential risks.

Vitamin A may be recommended by a healthcare provider for certain patients with measles, particularly children, because it can help reduce the risk of serious complications such as eye damage and blindness².

Similarly, antibiotics do not cure measles but might be prescribed to treat pneumonia and ear and eye infections ². The best and only proven way to be protected from measles is through vaccination ¹.

 

Measles Statistics

Before the vaccine was available, measles led to about 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations every year ¹.

  • Ear infections and diarrhea are the most common complications of measles, but as many as 1 in 20 will get pneumonia ¹.
  • About 1 in 1,000 cases will have brain swelling that can cause deafness and intellectual disability ¹.
  • Nearly 3 in 1,000 cases result in death ¹.

Measles vaccination prevented more than 60 million deaths worldwide between 2000 and 2023 ². Getting the vaccine is safer than getting measles. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles and typically provide long-lasting protection ¹.

 

What is your immune status?

Some people may not know whether they were vaccinated against measles, or if they received both doses of the vaccine. Others may need proof of immunity for school or work. The good news is, if you are unsure about your immunity or need proof, you can get a simple blood test called a titer test. This test checks if your body still has enough antibodies to fight off the disease. If your immunity is low, you may be eligible for a measles vaccine.

Certain groups, including healthcare workers, international travelers, college students, and people who are unsure of their vaccination history, may benefit from discussing their measles immunity with their healthcare provider. If you’re in one of these groups or just want peace of mind, talk to your doctor about getting a titer test or booster shot.

Measles isn’t something to take lightly. Keeping yourself and your family up to date on vaccinations is a simple step that can help keep you and those around you safe from this highly contagious disease.

 

REFERENCES
¹ Infectious Disease Society of America. (2024, November 25). Measles vaccination: Know the facts. https://www.idsociety.org/public-health/measles/know-the-facts/.
² World Health Organization. (2024, November 14). Measles. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles.

Update: 6/12/26