Is My Child at Risk of Measles?

Measles is a virus that is spread through air particles when an infected person talks, sneezes, coughs, or breathes. These air particles also land on surfaces you touch and can stay there for up to two hours.

What are the Symptoms?

Some measles symptoms don't always appear right away, but initial signs to watch for include:

• high fever
• dry cough
• runny nose

After 2-3 days, you may begin to see red spots in your child's mouth. After 3-5 days, you may see a rash on your child's skin.

Is My Child at Risk?

Children younger than 5 are the most at risk of developing a severe case of measles. The best way to protect your child from getting measles is to vaccinate them. Children receive two doses of this vaccine:

If you plan to travel with your child sooner than when they reach 12 months old, talk to our pediatric providers. They may recommend that your child get the vaccine as early as 6-9 months to protect them during this travel.

We encourage all parents to vaccinate their child for measles. To schedule a vaccination appointment, call our pediatrics clinic at (402) 844-8682.