Key points
- Measles is a very contagious viral infection.
- The most common symptoms of measles are a fever and a rash.
- Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your child against measles.
- Measles is rare in Australia due to widespread vaccination, but outbreaks do happen.
- Measles can lead to serious complications and, in rare cases, even death.
What is measles?
Measles is a viral illness that causes a fever and a rash. It is very contagious and spreads easily through droplets from coughing and sneezing. Measles can lead to serious complications and, in rare cases, even death.
Measles vaccination
The best way to protect your child from measles is with vaccination.
In Australia, children receive two doses of a measles vaccine as part of the standard immunisation
schedule. Their first dose is the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 months. Their second dose is the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMR-V) vaccine at 18 months, which also protects against ‘varicella’ (chickenpox).
Two doses of a measles vaccine will greatly reduce your child’s risk of catching the virus.
Signs and symptoms of measles
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, such as:
- Fever (temperature of 38°C or more)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore or red eyes
- Feeling more tired or lethargic than usual.
After two or three days, a distinctive rash will appear. It is often described as red and blotchy, starting on the head before spreading to the rest of the body.
It can take around 10 to 12 days for symptoms to appear after exposure to the measles virus. Most children with measles are sick for less than a week and should start feeling better about two days after their rash appears. Their cough may last for two
weeks.
Measles complications
Measles can lead to other illnesses or complications, including ‘secondary infections.’ Examples of complications from measles in children include ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhoea or vomiting. Brain inflammation (encephalitis) is a rare but serious
measles complication that requires urgent medical care. If untreated, some measles complications can lead to seizures or even death.
How does measles spread?
Measles is a very contagious virus. It spreads through droplets from coughing and sneezing, direct contact with an infected person or touching contaminated surfaces. You can even get measles by being in the same room as someone who is infected for up
to two hours after they have left the room. People can be infectious with measles at least four days before their rash appears, which means they can spread the virus before they even know they have it.
Measles was common in Australia before 1966, so people often had measles when they were young and are therefore considered immune. Anyone born between 1966 and 1992 may be protected against measles. Still, they likely only had one dose of a measles vaccine
during their childhood. This means they may be at greater risk of getting measles.
Measles outbreaks
Measles is still a common infection in many parts of the world, especially in countries without widespread vaccination. An outbreak in Australia often starts when an unvaccinated person travels overseas, becomes infected, and returns home with the virus.
During an outbreak, people who have not had two doses of a measles vaccine are at risk of catching the virus.
Others at higher risk of catching measles during an outbreak include:
- babies under 12 months who are too young to be fully vaccinated
- people with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised)
- children
- pregnant women
- people born between 1966 and 1992 who have not had the measles infection and have not had two doses of a measles vaccine.
If your child has not had two doses of a measles vaccine, speak to their doctor or Maternal and Child Health Nurse.
Speak to a doctor if your child or other family members have possible measles symptoms or have been exposed to a known case of measles and have not had two doses of a measles vaccine.
How to care for measles at home
See a doctor
You should take your child to their doctor for diagnosis if they have possible measles symptoms. It is important to tell the doctor's clinic you are worried about a measles infection before you arrive. The doctor will rule out any other illnesses and
teach you the signs of complications to watch for.
Doctors will not give you antibiotics to treat your child's measles, as antibiotics do not treat viruses.
Care at home
Most children with measles can recover at home after seeing a doctor. Try to keep your child away from anyone who may be at high risk of complications – especially young babies (under 12 months), pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised),
and those who have not had two doses of a measles vaccine.
You can make your child more comfortable by:
When to get help
Call an ambulance (000) if:
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- your child starts having seizures.
- your child is struggling to breathe and cannot catch their breath.
- your child is not waking up or interacting.
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Go to a hospital if:
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- your child becomes confused or loses their memory (amnesia).
- your child is having trouble breathing.
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See a doctor or health professional if:
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- your child has a cough that is getting worse.
- your child starts vomiting and cannot drink many fluids.
- your child seems very tired and more sleepy (lethargic) than usual.
- your child is still unwell and not getting better after a week.
- your child has a fever (temperature of 38°C or more), and their skin rash does not turn skin-colour (blanch) when you press on it.
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Look after your child at home if:
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- your child can drink plenty of fluids.
- your child is alert and mostly acting like their usual self.
- your child feels better after pain medicine like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
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Common questions about measles
What if there is a measles outbreak, but my baby is too young to be vaccinated?
While babies under 12 months are not usually vaccinated against measles, there can be special cases where a baby exposed to measles can get the vaccine at six months old. Speak to a doctor if your child is under 12 months old and has been exposed
to a known case of measles.
What do I do if I am unsure about my child’s immunisation status?
All your child's immunisations should be recorded in their My Health, Learning and Development Record (green book) or doctor's files. You can also access your child's immunisation history online on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). This
is a national register of vaccines given to people of all ages. Your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or regular doctor can also access your child's record. If you cannot find the relevant records or are unsure, sometimes your child’s doctor
will recommend a blood test that checks what illnesses your child has protection against.
Is it true that a measles vaccine can be given earlier than scheduled?
Children travelling to countries with high rates of measles can get the MMR vaccine as early as 6 months of age. However, if your child gets an early vaccine dose, the routine immunisation schedule at 12 and 18 months still applies. Speak to your
child’s doctor about early vaccination if you are travelling overseas and worried about measles.
My child has measles, and I am pregnant. What should I do?
Measles can be harmful to pregnant women and their unborn children. However, you should not get a measles vaccine while pregnant. If your child has measles and you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor – especially if you have not had two
doses of a measles vaccine during your lifetime.
If measles is rare in Australia, why do I need to vaccinate my child?
Measles is rare in Australia because of widespread vaccination against the virus. The fewer people who get vaccinated, the more likely there will be outbreaks in the community.
Outbreaks may happen when an unvaccinated person travels overseas, gets infected and returns home with the virus.
Even though measles outbreaks are rare, they can happen, so it is important to get your child and other family members vaccinated.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Infectious Diseases department, with input from the Emergency department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed April 2025
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.