The University Health Center is monitoring the public health declaration of the Measles virus. We are working to monitor the situation and provide relevant information to the Island community.
Vaccination Questions:
CDC considers you protected from measles IF you have written documentation (records) showing at least one of the following:
You received two doses of MMR or a measles-containing vaccine.
A laboratory confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life.
A laboratory confirmed that you are immune to measles.
You were born before 1957.
If you have received two doses of the measles vaccine, you should be protected for life. A booster dose is NOT required.
You should receive two doses of the measles vaccine to get the most protection.
If you're unsure whether you're immune to measles, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity.
If you do not have written documentation of measles immunity, you should get vaccinated with the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, two doses, 28 days apart. There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella).
Another option is to have a health care provider test your blood to determine whether you're immune.
The measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus.
One dose of the vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus.
Usually, full protection is provided in about 2-3 weeks.
Very few people, about 3 out of 100, who get two doses of the measles vaccine will still get measles if exposed to the virus. However, fully vaccinated people who get the measles seem to have a milder illness than those that have not been vaccinated.
Additionally, fully vaccinated people seem also less likely to spread the disease to other people, including people who can’t get vaccinated because they are too young or have weakened immune systems.
Research has shown that the measles vaccine (MMR) is safe and very effective. Getting vaccinated is much safer than getting any of the diseases the vaccine protects against.
Pain at the injection site
Fever
Mild rash
Swollen glands in the cheek or neck
Scientists have carefully studied the MMR vaccine, and no studies have found a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.
Measles Exposure Questions:
Students: If you suspect that you may have been exposed to measles, call the University Health Center at 361.825.2601 for a telemedicine appointment. Do not physically come into the University Health Center clinic due to the highly contagious nature of the virus.
Faculty/Staff: If you suspect that you may have been exposed to measles, contact your primary care physician. If you do not have a local care physician, you may contact MDLive through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) by calling 888.680.8646 or the BCBS 24/7 Nurse Line at 800.581.0368.
Students: If you suspect that you may have been exposed to measles, call the University Health Center at 361.825.2601 for a telemedicine appointment. Do not physically come into the University Health Center clinic due to the highly contagious nature of the virus.
Faculty/Staff: If you suspect that you may have been exposed to measles, contact your primary care physician. If you do not have a local care physician, you may contact MDLive through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) by calling 888.680.8646 or the BCBS 24/7 Nurse Line at 800.581.0368.
High fever (Usually 102.4 F or higher)
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
Rash that begins on the face or hairline then spreads downward. (Rash begins as flat red spots.)
You are estimated to be contagious beginning five days BEFORE the appearance of the rash to four days after the rash appears.
6-21 days
If infected person coughs or sneezes and you breath the contaminated air. (the virus can live for up to 2 hours in an airspace)
Touching an infected surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
The treatment of measles is supportive. This includes fever reducing medication, fluids, and over-the-counter medication for other symptoms.
There is no antibiotic or antiviral that is approved for the treatment of measles.