Health Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.
703-246-2411 TTY 711
10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of Health

Department Resources

Measles

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus that lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. In fact, it is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Other people then become infected when they breathe contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves the area.

Measles symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by a rash. Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, some groups are more likely to suffer from complications:

  • Children younger than five years of age
  • Adults older than 20 years of age
  • Pregnant people
  • People with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection

Serious complications include pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (infection of the brain). Measles infection can also be fatal.

Measles Prevention

Protect your child from measles Measles is still common in many parts of the world. Unvaccinated travelers who get measles in other countries continue to bring the disease into the United States. [Illustration of a plane flying around the world] Give your child the best protection against measles with two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine: MMR 1st dost at 12-15 months 2nd dose at 4-6 years [Illustration of MMR vaccine] Traveling abroad with your child? Infants 6 to 11 months old need 1 dose of measles vaccine before traveling abroad. Children 12 months and older should receive 2 doses before travel. Check with your pediatrician before leaving on your trip to make sure your children are protected. [logo] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Credit: CDC

Vaccines help teach the immune system how to defend against germs, helping to build up natural defenses. They can prevent common diseases that used to seriously harm or even kill infants, children, and adults, like measles.

The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. It is safe and highly effective: two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus.

See the recommended vaccine schedule to learn more about when your child should get an MMR vaccine, and other recommended vaccines. Following the recommended schedule helps reduce the risk of serious diseases that can be prevented. While under the routine immunization schedule, children receive their first vaccine against measles at 12-15 months of age, infants between 6 and 11 months of age should receive one dose of measles vaccine before traveling internationally.

Measles and Travel

Measles is still common in many places, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Every year, measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers, most often Americans and sometimes foreign visitors, who get measles while they are in other countries.

If you plan to travel internationally, make sure you and your family are protected, no matter where you are going. The best protection against measles is vaccination. You should plan to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you leave for your trip.

Recently Asked Questions to Our Social Media

Immunity from measles vaccination generally is life-long. People who received 2 doses of measles vaccine are considered to not be at risk. People who were vaccinated between 1963 and 1968 may have received a vaccine that was less effective and are recommended to check with their healthcare provider.  

A titer is a blood test that measures antibodies, which are proteins that fight off a specific type of infection. A measles titer measures antibodies against measles. A positive titer means that one is protected against measles

Obtaining a titer is useful to find out whether or not someone is protected against measles. For example, someone who is uncertain whether they had received measles vaccine could have a titer drawn and, if it is positive, it would indicate that they were protected. A titer also may be useful for someone who was vaccinated between 1963 and 1968 who may have received a less effective vaccine. 

Blood for measles titers can be drawn at your healthcare provider's office with the test being sent to a commercial laboratory.

Measles illness is more common in many other countries and it's important to be protected against measles before traveling internationally. People who received two doses of measles vaccine are considered protected and do not need to receive an additional dose before traveling. Young children who have only received their first dose of measles vaccine can receive a second dose before traveling as long as at least 28 days have passed since their first dose. While measles vaccine is routinely recommended for children who are 12-15 months old, children between 6 months and 1 year old who will be traveling internationally, can get an early dose of measles vaccine to provide protection during the trip. They should get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure and will need 2 additional measles vaccine doses administered after their first birthday.   

Yes. Measles vaccine is safe and effective at preventing a serious infection. Measles causes high fever, cough, rash, and dehydration. It also may cause pneumonia, seizures, brain inflammation, and immune amnesia - loss of immunity to other infections. One to three of every 1,000 children with a measles infection will die. Measles vaccination is very effective in preventing this disease; two doses of vaccine protect about 97 out of every 100 people (97%). In addition, if the rate of measles vaccination in a community is 95% or higher, measles will not spread in that community increasing protection for everyone including those who can’t be protected by vaccination such as infants or people with cancer whose immunity is suppressed. Vaccine is routinely recommended for all children with a first dose at 12-15 months of age and a second dose at 4-6 years of age. Measles vaccination is required for school entry. 

The primary treatment for measles is to relieve the symptoms of infection such as taking medicine to reduce fever and drinking fluids to avoid dehydration. In severe, hospitalized cases, fluids may be given into the vein and oxygen may be needed for patients with pneumonia. Vitamin A treatment may reduce the risk of severe illness. It’s important that vitamin A is only given by a healthcare provider because they can give the right dose and avoid the risks of taking too much. Antibiotics do not treat infections like measles which are caused by viruses, and there is no antiviral medicine to treat measles.  

No. Vitamin A is given to someone who already has measles as it may reduce the risk of severe infection. It is not used for prevention.

“Home treatments” for measles are those that make the ill individual more comfortable. This may include medicine to reduce fever, fluids to avoid dehydration, and humidifying the air to make breathing more comfortable.

The best person to call for advice about measles is your healthcare provider. They know you best and can provide credible advice on vaccination, and address any questions or concerns. Be cautious seeking information online and choose reputable sites such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, which represents children’s doctors across the country, or the Fairfax County Health Department’s website which shares science-based information.  

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