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If you may have been exposed to measles and are unvaccinated, contact a healthcare provider or your local health department immediately—even if you feel well. Tell them when and where the exposure happened. Post-exposure options are time-sensitive, and a clinician or public health official needs to assess your immunity, risks, and eligibility. If symptoms develop, call ahead before going to a clinic or emergency department.
What to do first after a measles exposure
- Call now. Contact your doctor, clinic, or local health department and say: “I was exposed to measles and I am unvaccinated.” The CDC advises immediate contact so a provider can assess your immunity and arrange an appropriate evaluation: Measles: What to Do If You Get Sick or Exposed.
- Give the details. Be ready with the date and approximate time of exposure, where it happened, and whether contact occurred more than once. Share your age, pregnancy status, immune conditions or treatments, and any vaccination records or prior laboratory evidence of immunity.
- Ask about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Do not wait to resolve every question about your records before calling. A clinician or public health official can determine whether PEP is appropriate and which option, if any, fits your situation.
- Follow instructions about contact with others. Ask when you can safely return to school, work, childcare, or other settings where susceptible people may be present.
Which post-exposure options may be available?
The two time windows are short, but the options are not interchangeable. CDC guidance says measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine may be used within 72 hours of initial exposure when appropriate. Immune globulin may be used within six days for eligible people. A healthcare professional or public health official should make the decision; do not choose or arrange treatment on your own. CDC also says MMR vaccine and immune globulin should not be given at the same time. See the CDC’s post-exposure prophylaxis guidance.
| Situation | What CDC guidance says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Initial exposure was within 72 hours | MMR may be offered to a susceptible person without a contraindication. | Call immediately to have a provider check eligibility and timing. |
| More than 72 hours but no more than six days have passed | Immune globulin may still be an option for eligible people; it is prioritized for some vulnerable groups. | Contact a clinician or health department urgently. |
| Pregnant, severely immunocompromised, an infant, or unable to receive a live vaccine | Immune globulin may be particularly relevant, but the appropriate choice depends on the individual assessment. | Tell the provider at first contact. Do not self-select treatment. |
| Symptoms develop | Measles can cause fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and rash. | Call the clinic or emergency department before arriving and follow their instructions. |
| No PEP and still susceptible | Avoiding settings where susceptible people may be present may be advised, potentially for up to 21 days after exposure. | Ask the provider or health department for the exact return date and instructions. |
Immune globulin is generally considered for particular vulnerable groups, including infants, pregnant people, and people who are severely immunocompromised. Eligibility and contraindications depend on the individual case. The CDC’s immune globulin guidance provides further detail for clinicians and public health officials. PEP is not a guarantee that illness will be prevented.
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What information changes the recommendation?
A provider or public health official will weigh the time since the first exposure, whether there is reliable evidence of immunity, risk of severe disease, and whether MMR is contraindicated. Mention pregnancy, severe immune suppression, infancy, or any reason you have been told not to receive a live vaccine as soon as you make contact. Public health officials can help assess eligibility and coordinate next steps.
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Monitor for symptoms and call before going in
Measles symptoms commonly begin 7–15 days after contact. Watch for fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and rash. If any compatible symptoms appear, call your healthcare provider before going to a clinic or emergency department. This warning gives the facility a chance to arrange precautions and reduce the risk of exposing others. CDC’s measles surveillance guidance describes the illness and its monitoring.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How long to avoid school, work, or other settings
If you remain susceptible and did not receive PEP, ask your provider or local health department whether you need to stay away from school, work, childcare, healthcare facilities, or other places where susceptible people may be present. CDC says this may be necessary for up to 21 days after exposure. The exact instruction and return date can depend on your circumstances and local public-health direction, so get a case-specific answer rather than relying on a general calendar count.
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