Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. It is also called rubeola or red measles. The disease is extremely rare in the United States because of widespread immunization programs.

The Department of Health's policy promotes vaccination for all children against Measles Mumps and Rubella. The NHS offers the triple MMR vaccine, therefore we offer a course of single mono component vaccines i.e. Measles, Mumps and Rubella to protect both your child and other children from these diseases. To not offer all three would lessen overall immunity (herd immunity) in the population and endanger children that have an immune system that does not function properly.

A.    Congenital transfer of german measles is the infection of the fetus from an infected pregnant woman. There is no congenital infection with measles.

Ans. Yes, measles can occasionally occur after measles vaccination 10-15% children fail to seroconvert after measles vaccine given at 9 months of age. Ans. No, infants upto 5-6 months of age have adequate level of maternally derived measles antibodies, which protect them against the disease.

The MMR vaccine prevents measles and two other viral diseases - mumps and rubella. These three vaccines are safe given together. MMR is a attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine. This means that after injection, the viruses grows, and causes a harmless infection in the vaccinated person with very few, if any symptoms. The person's immune system fights the infection caused by these weakened viruses and immunity develops which lasts throughout that person's life.

Measles is a breeze to install. Simply copy the Measles application into one of the standard OS X locations for applications, such as /Applications, /Applications/Utilities, or ~/Applications (where ~ is your home directory). ~/Applications is the typical location used if you do not have Administrator privileges on your OS X machine, or wish Measles to be available only to you, not to other users of the machine.

Measles is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus is most often spread when people first become ill—before they know they have the disease. A person is contagious from about 4 days before the rash breaks out to 4 days after the rash appears.

Most often, measles is diagnosed by a history of exposure to someone who has the disease and the presence of symptoms, especially the characteristic rash.

The measles vaccine protects against the disease. The vaccine is usually given in combination with the mumps and rubella (German measles) vaccines (MMR). Many people have been alarmed by a report published on the Internet that falsely linked the MMR immunization with autism. In response, many different researchers conducted independent large studies and found no connection between the MMR immunization and autism.

In accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, if you are a new student or a transfer student, you must mail or deliver in person to SHC the dates you received two doses of measles immunization. If you do not comply with this policy, you will not be allowed to register for your second semester. Measles shots are covered by your pre-paid health fee. For a copy of the MU MMR requirement, click here.

Measles is highly contagious. Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards. The measles virus resides in the mucus in the nose and throat of infected people. When they sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and the droplets remain active and contagious on infected surfaces for up to two hours.

The measles virus is produced in the nose and throat and is sprayed into the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks. Other people nearby can then inhale the virus. Touching objects used by someone with measles (like tissues, sharing a cup) can also spread the virus. People with measles can spread the disease starting four days before until four days after the rash begins. The first symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after a person is exposed.

Protect your children by having them vaccinated when they are 12 to 15 months old, and again when they are about to enter kindergarten. Measles vaccine is usually given in a shot called MMR, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. State regulations require certain groups to be vaccinated against measles, including some health care workers and childcare workers. If you are not sure if you are immune to measles, a blood test can be used to check for measles immunity.

If you believe that you have been exposed to someone with measles, contact your provider immediately by phone to see if you need a vaccination. If you get the vaccine less than 72 hours after being exposed, it will help to protect you against measles. People who cannot be vaccinated can be treated with immune globulin up to six days after exposure.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It affects mostly children. It is easily and very rapidly transmitted through air or direct contact. Children who suffer from measles may experience complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, deafness, ear infection, diarrhea and dehydration.

A.    You should also know that the viruses that cause measles (rubeola) and german measles (rubella) are unrelated.

We recommend that you complete your immunizations before you arrive for classes. If that is not possible, you may receive the inoculations or be tested for immunity at Health Services (by appointment) for the following fees: Free immunizations are also available at the Chelsea Health Center . It is located at 303 Ninth Avenue (between 27th & 28th Streets). The hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 2:30PM . The phone number is 212 676-2273.