UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Health Services (UHS) is encouraging students to protect themselves against measles in light of recent cases in Pennsylvania and nationally. Measles is a highly contagious and serious disease with symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, rash, and red, watery eyes.
Although there have been no confirmed measles cases at University Park or any Penn State campus, UHS encourages students to learn about measles and take precautions, especially if they will be traveling internationally or to areas with current measles activity.
Measles, considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be one of the most contagious diseases in the world, is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can live up to two hours suspended in the air. According to the CDC, 90% of people around an infected person also will become infected if not protected.
Measles symptoms appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Tiny white spots called Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin, and measles rash appears three to five days after the first symptoms. People with measles are considered infectious four days before through four days after the rash appears.
Those who do not have presumed immunity to measles — either through receipt of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or through previously contracting measles — should be especially aware of the risks. Pregnant women, adults 20 years and older, children over 5 years, and people with compromised immune systems are at highest risk.