Texas is dealing with its largest measles outbreak in 30 years. About 90 cases in West Texas have been reported, and the Texas Department of State Health Services said Friday that 16 people are hospitalized with measles.

What You Need To Know

  • One of the largest measles outbreaks in Texas in 30 years is occurring in West Texas, with 58 cases reported and 13 people hospitalized

  • Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes

  • Measles is highly contagious and can live for up to two hours in the air. It’s spread through contact with an infected person, usually when they cough or sneeze

  • Doctors recommend two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to avoid a measles infection

Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms of measles, how it’s spread and how to avoid infection.

What are the symptoms?

According to the CDC, the first symptoms of measles appear seven to 14 days after exposure.

Symptoms include:

 

  • High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes

 

Two to three days after the first symptoms appear, it’s common to see tiny white spots inside the mouth, also known as Koplik spots.

Three to five days after symptoms begin, a measles rash may appear. This usually begins as flat red spots on the face that can spread down to the rest of the body. Fever can spike to 104 degrees.

Those most at risk of developing measles are children younger than five, adults older than 20, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system from illnesses like leukemia and HIV infection.

How is it spread?

Measles is highly contagious and can live for up to two hours in the air. It’s spread through contact with an infected person, usually when they cough or sneeze, or through contact with air droplets if someone breathes air from an infected person or touches an infected surface.

Vaccination

Doctors recommend two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to avoid a measles infection. Children may receive the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine (MMRV). These vaccines usually protect people from measles and rubella for life, but immunity to mumps may decrease over time.

For children, the first dose of MMRV is recommended at 12 to 15 months and the second is recommended at four to six years old.

“The MMR vaccine protects your child from measles, mumps, and rubella, potentially serious diseases caused by viruses. Almost everyone who has not had the MMR vaccine will get sick if they are exposed to those viruses,” the CDC website says. “The vaccine keeps your child from missing school or childcare; and you from missing work to care for your sick child. Vaccination also limits the size, duration, and spread of outbreaks.”

Children that are older, adolescents and adults who didn’t previously get the vaccine need one to two doses to protect against the illness, with doses being administered at least 28 days apart.

Those who are at an increased risk of infection may need a third dose, the CDC says. Consult with your doctor to find out if you’re eligible.

The CDC recommends those who aren’t sure if they were already vaccinated as children and don’t have access to their vaccination records to still get a dose of the MMR vaccine. There is no harm in getting another dose if you’re already immune.