If you suspect you may have measles, please follow these instructions:

• Minimize contact with other people by staying home.
• Before seeking non-emergent care, first notify your healthcare team. This can be done by:
  • Contacting their office or by calling (920) 445-7353
  • Sending a MyChart message
  • Requesting an on-demand video visit, when available, or filling out an online visit questionnaire 

Your healthcare team will determine next steps, including if you should be seen in person or tested for measles. If your doctor would like to have an in-person appointment, please be aware that you will need to wear a mask while you are inside a Bellin facility, and you may be asked to call the facility ahead of your appointment to let them know that you’ve arrived. 

You will be escorted to your exam room right away upon entering the facility.

• Refer to your local Public Health Department for questions that are not related to your healthcare, including what to do if you were exposed to measles.

We are committed to keeping our patients, staff and communities safe, and that is why the following safety measures have been put into place at our facilities:

• Patients and visitors with respiratory symptoms are asked to wear a medical-grade facemask.
• Patients are screened for symptoms and recent travel upon check-in.
• Patients who think they may have measles are asked to call in advance of their appointment or schedule a virtual visit when possible.
• Those who are suspected to have measles are given a facemask and roomed immediately upon arrival.

Measles is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus, and common measles symptoms include:

• Cough
• High fever (may spike to more than 104°F)
• Rash (breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms begin)
• Red and/or watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children.

Measles can lead to pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). About 1 in every 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles are hospitalized. 

Although measles could be dangerous for anyone, there are a few groups of people who are at higher risk of experiencing these complications:

• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Children under 5 years of age
• People with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant women

The best way to prevent measles and its complications is through vaccination. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Talk to your provider about the MMR vaccine, especially if you are planning to travel.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about the MMR vaccine, and contact your primary care provider if you are interested in the MMR vaccination.

Benefits of the MMR Vaccination:

• Protects your child from measles, a potentially serious disease, as well as mumps and rubella.
• Prevents your child from getting an uncomfortable rash and high fever from measles.
• Keeps your child from missing school or childcare (and keeps you from missing work to care for your sick child).

Providers recommend that your child get two doses of the MMR shot for best protection. Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:

• 12 through 15 months
• 4 through 6 years
• Infants 6 months to 11 months should have one dose of the MMR shot before traveling to another country. 

Is the MMR Vaccination Safe?

Yes, the MMR vaccination is safe and effective at preventing measles, as well as mumps and rubella.

What Are the Side Effects of the MMR Vaccination?

Most children don’t have side effects from the vaccination. The side effects that can occur are usually very mild, such as fever, rash, soreness or swelling where the vaccination was given, or temporary pain and stiffness in the joints.