Measles were once considered a childhood disease but are now a threat to everyone. But what is it like to get measles and why is the number of cases increasing, particularly in Europe?
Many parents have to consider the issue of vaccination after the birth of a child. One vaccine that is given before a baby even reaches the age of one is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
What is measles?
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus. It is transmitted by coughing or sneezing, which makes it a typical airborne infection. In the past, measles was considered to be a childhood disease because, before vaccinations existed, most people experienced it as children. In principle, however, it can occur in unvaccinated people of any age.
What are the symptoms of measles?
If you are infected with measles, you experience two phases or stages of the disease. During the first stage, which begins seven to 18 days after infection, the following symptoms may occur:
- fever
- fatigue
- sensitivity to light
- abdominal pain
- inflammation of the mucous membrane in the mouth
- cold symptoms such as a cough, runny nose and sore throat
Two to four days after the onset of the first symptoms, the second stage begins. This is typically signalled by a further rise in temperature and a prominent skin rash. In addition, the symptoms from the first stage intensify.
Consequences of measles
In some cases, symptoms resolve quickly and without after-effects. However, complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia or a middle ear infection can develop. In some cases, these complications can be life-threatening, cause permanent disability or even result in death.
How common is measles?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), measles cases fell from 216 000 to 4440 between 1997 and 2016. Nevertheless, WHO has reported a rise in measles cases in the European Region since the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because of a certain vaccination fatigue among the population and declining vaccination rates, which are not yet back up to pre-pandemic levels. Around 360 000 measles cases were reported in 2024, one third of which were in the European Region.
How to prevent infection
The best protection against measles is immunisation. It is available as a combined vaccination with the mumps and rubella vaccines (MMR) or additionally with chickenpox (MMRV).
The Federal Office of Public Health recommends the combined vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella because it keeps the risk of complications low. The MMRV vaccine also reduces the risk of developing chickenpox (varicella) and shingles later in life. The vaccine is usually given in two doses. The first dose is at the age of nine months, with the second following three months later.
The measles vaccine is classified as very safe, partly because it is well tolerated. Protection is usually life-long in people who have been fully vaccinated against measles, i.e. with two doses.
A question for Silke Schmitt-Oggier, Medical Director at santé24
Why is there only one combination vaccine for measles?
Most worthwhile vaccinations are given as a combination, because they work better and prevent unnecessary injections. There used to be a single measles vaccine, but demand for it was low so pharmaceutical companies stopped producing it.
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