If you are unvaccinated and may have been exposed to measles, call a healthcare provider or your local health department immediately—do not wait for symptoms. Share when and where the exposure happened so they can assess whether you have evidence of immunity and whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is appropriate. If you become ill, call ahead before going to a clinic or emergency department.
What to do first after a measles exposure
- Call a healthcare provider or local health department now. Say, “I was exposed to measles and I am unvaccinated.” The CDC advises immediate contact to assess immunity and arrange safe evaluation. Its Measles: What to Do If You Get Sick or Exposed page was published August 5, 2026.
- Give the exposure details. Be ready with the date and approximate time, location or setting, and whether exposure happened more than once. Also mention your age, pregnancy status, immune conditions or treatments, and any vaccine records or prior lab evidence of immunity.
- Ask urgently whether PEP is appropriate. A clinician or public health official should consider the time since exposure, evidence of immunity, your health circumstances, and any contraindication to MMR vaccine. Do not delay the call while searching for records or choose a treatment yourself.
- Follow instructions for monitoring and limiting contact. Ask how long to avoid settings where susceptible people may be present, and what to do if symptoms develop.
How the PEP time windows work
The two options have different timing and are not interchangeable. CDC guidance says MMR vaccine may be used within 72 hours of initial exposure when appropriate. Immune globulin may be given within six days to eligible people. CDC says not to give MMR and immune globulin simultaneously. A clinician or public health official should determine which, if either, is suitable for your circumstances. PEP is not a guarantee that you will avoid measles.
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| Situation | General CDC guidance | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure was within 72 hours | MMR may be offered to a susceptible person without contraindications. | Call immediately to check eligibility and timing. |
| More than 72 hours but no more than six days have passed | Immune globulin may be an option for eligible people; it is prioritized for certain vulnerable groups. | Contact a clinician or public health department urgently. |
| You are pregnant, severely immunocompromised, an infant, or unable to receive a live vaccine | Immune globulin may be particularly relevant, but the appropriate choice is a clinical decision. | Tell the provider at first contact; do not select treatment yourself. |
These windows are measured from exposure; if you are unsure when it occurred or whether contact was repeated, tell the provider rather than calculating eligibility on your own. The CDC’s post-exposure prophylaxis guidance and immune globulin guidance describe the options and relevant considerations.
Why your health circumstances matter
Being unvaccinated does not by itself determine which PEP option is right for you. Providers assess whether there is other evidence of immunity, whether MMR is contraindicated, and the risk of severe disease. CDC materials call out infants, pregnant people, and severely immunocompromised people as groups for whom immune globulin may be especially relevant.
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Disclose pregnancy, immune suppression or treatments, age under one year, and any reason you have been told not to receive a live vaccine. The CDC’s vaccine recommendations and immune globulin guidance provide clinical considerations; your provider or health department can apply them to your exposure.
Watch for symptoms—and call before seeking in-person care
Measles symptoms commonly begin 7–15 days after contact. They include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and rash. If you develop compatible symptoms, call your provider before arriving at a clinic or emergency department. This gives staff a chance to arrange precautions and reduce the risk of exposing other people. Follow their instructions about where and how to seek care. The CDC lists symptoms and exposure advice in its measles guidance; its Measles chapter in the Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases also describes the illness and surveillance guidance.
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Ask how long to avoid school, work, or other shared settings
If you remain susceptible and did not receive PEP, ask your provider or health department whether you need to stay away from places such as schools, childcare settings, hospitals, or work. CDC says these precautions may extend up to 21 days after exposure. The exact instruction and return date depend on your situation and local public-health guidance, so get a specific date from the official handling your case rather than assuming one rule applies everywhere.
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What to tell the provider
- Date, time, and place of the exposure, including whether it happened repeatedly.
- Your age and whether you are pregnant.
- Immune conditions, immune-suppressing treatments, or other serious health concerns.
- Any vaccine records, prior lab evidence of immunity, or reason you cannot receive MMR.
- Any symptoms you have developed and when they began.
This guidance reflects U.S. CDC recommendations. Individual exposure assessments, vaccine contraindications, and school or workplace restrictions can vary by case and jurisdiction; your clinician or local health department can provide the applicable instructions.
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