Advice about measles

There have been a number of suspected cases of measles among the student population (and elsewhere in the city) in recent days.

You may have been in contact with one of the students and may therefore be at risk of getting measles.

Measles can be a very serious illness and is extremely infectious from five days before the onset of rash until about five days afterwards. Typical symptoms include fever, tiredness, sore red eyes, cough and a widespread, red blotchy rash. If someone gets measles, they can infect other people in contact with them if they are not fully protected.

If you think that you may have measles please contact your GP, preferably by phone at first.

Tell the receptionist that you think you have measles. The surgery can then make arrangements for you to be seen separately to reduce the risk of infecting other people at the surgery (e.g. you might be asked to come at the end of surgery when there are fewer people about or be seen in a separate room to other people).

Until you are assessed by a GP you should do all you can to isolate yourself.  You should try to stay in your bedroom and communicate by phone or through your door.  Arrange a buddy to deliver food, drinks and anything else you require.  Any contact that is absolutely necessary should be kept to less than 15 minutes.

If you are going to stay with family whilst infectious, you should avoid travelling home by public transport and avoid breaking your journey in crowded places, such as service stations.

Those that have been vaccinated against MMR will be more resistant to both infection and transmission of the illness.

How can you tell if you're protected against measles?

How can you tell if you need an MMR jab?

What if you are pregnant?

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