Measles Awareness

What is measles? 

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus. Measles spreads through coughing and sneezing and can cause serious health complications. 

Signs and Symptoms

  • Cough
  • High fever
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes
  • 3-5 days after respiratory symptoms begin, a red, blotchy rash starts on the face, which then spreads to the rest of the body
  • Severe cases of measles can lead to serious health problems, such as hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis and immune amnesia

What should I do if I think I have measles?

Immediately contact your health care provider by phone and let them know about your symptoms so that they can tell you what to do next. Unless instructed to do so by the local Colorado Health Department or your physician, do not visit the emergency room or hospital unannounced because you may infect others.

CU Boulder students can contact Medical Services at 303-492-5101.

What’s the best way to protect myself? 

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides the best protection against measles. This vaccine provides long-lasting (lifelong in most cases) protection against measles.  

Information for Students

Students are required to meet CU Boulder’s immunization requirements, including proof of two doses of the MMR vaccine.

How to verify your status:
  • Log in to your MyCUHealth portal to review submitted immunization records.
  • Most students submit MMR documentation upon enrollment.
  • The current MMR vaccination rate among CU Boulder students is greater than 95%.
If you’re unsure about your immunity:

If not immune, Medical Services can provide the MMR vaccine.

Students: Schedule an Appointment

MyCUHealth Portal 

Student Campus Participation and Housing Protocol

Students without evidence of immunity cannot attend class and other school-related activities if they are exposed to measles and do not receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within the recommended timeframe. Exposed students should monitor for symptoms for 21 days (or 28 days if they have received immunoglobulin PEP). 

Students should immediately report development of any symptoms to Medical Services and public health authorities to promote quick identification of cases and prevent further spread.

Students who are diagnosed with measles, and that have the option, should consider returning home during their infectious period (through four days after rash onset) if they can do so without exposing other non-immune people. Public transportation such as buses, trains, airplanes, etc. is not allowed. Individuals who transport the ill student should be immune to measles.

For students who live on campus and cannot return home, local accommodations will be made in consultation with public health authorities for isolation in a room as designated by campus with an included bathroom. Meals will be provided in accordance with the student's meal plan. Medications and other necessities will also be provided. Only staff with evidence of immunity to measles will deliver meals or other supplies. Staff will check in with the ill student on a regular basis to assess and keep track of their well-being.

Quarantine may be recommended by public health authorities for individuals who do not have prior evidence of immunity and who do not receive PEP within the recommended time frame after exposure to measles. Quarantine is different from school exclusion as it requires avoiding all public places including places of work, stores, public transportation and social gatherings, in addition to all school-related activities.

Information for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff are encouraged to confirm their immunity to measles to help prevent outbreaks and protect the campus community.

How to tell if you're protected:

You are likely protected if any of the following apply:

  • You have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.
  • You have a documented positive blood test (titer) showing immunity.
  • You were born before 1957 (when measles was widespread and most people were exposed in childhood).
How to check your MMR status:
  • Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS): Faculty and staff vaccinated in Colorado can check their records via CIIS.
  • Primary Care Provider: Contact your current or childhood provider for vaccination records.
  • Primary School or College Records: Many schools retain immunization documentation.
CU Employee Health:

You can reach out to the CU Boulder Medical Services to discuss options for verifying immunity or obtaining vaccination. If you are unsure of your vaccination status or cannot locate records, a simple blood test (titer) is available through your provider or Medical Services to determine immunity. If not immune, you should receive the MMR vaccine.

Faculty and Staff Campus Participation 

Faculty and staff without evidence of immunity will need to stay home from work if they are exposed to measles and do not receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within the recommended timeframe. To prevent unnecessary absences, faculty and staff are encouraged to have their immunization records or other evidence of immunity readily available for review if requested. Direct access measles immunity testing is available for faculty and staff at the Wardenburg lab. Faculty and staff can walk up and request the testing for an out-of-pocket cost of $5. The test result is sent directly to the patient portal (mycuhealth.colorado.edu). 

Exposed faculty and staff should monitor for symptoms for 21 days (or 28 days if they have received immunoglobulin PEP). Faculty and staff should immediately report development of any symptoms to public health authorities and their primary care provider to promote quick identification of cases and prevent further spread. 

Quarantine may be recommended by public health authorities for individuals who do not have prior evidence of immunity and who do not receive PEP within the recommended time frame after exposure to measles. Quarantine is different from school exclusion as it requires avoiding all public places including places of work, stores, public transportation, and social gatherings, in addition to all school-related activities. 

FAQs

You can reach out to your childhood physician’s office, visit state vaccine registries (access Colorado’s registry) or check with your primary school for records.  

If you do not have an immunization record or are unsure if you have received the MMR vaccine, Medical Services can perform a blood test to determine if you are vaccinated. Those with a valid vaccine record do not need to be tested. 

Please call your insurance company to verify if testing is covered. Even if testing is not covered by your insurance, out-of-pocket cost is minimal when done through Medical Services.

Routine vaccines, such as the MMR, are typically covered by insurance plans. To determine any out-of-pocket costs, please call your insurance company.