Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Recommended public health actions for a patient diagnosed with measles include:
- Immediate notification of the local Health Protection Team (HPT) is a statutory duty to enable surveillance and instigation of public health management including contact tracing NICE CKS.
- Contact tracing and management of vulnerable contacts (such as infants under 1 year, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals) must be undertaken to identify and protect susceptible individuals NICE CKS.
- Seek specialist advice promptly for high-risk groups: children younger than 1 year, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people, due to their increased risk of complications and need for tailored management NICE CKS.
- Advise the patient that measles is usually self-limiting but unpleasant, recommending rest, adequate fluid intake, and symptomatic relief with paracetamol or ibuprofen (avoid aspirin in children under 16) NICE CKS.
- Advise isolation by staying away from nursery, school, or work for at least 4 days after rash onset to reduce transmission risk, and to avoid contact with susceptible people NICE CKS.
- Provide written information about measles symptoms and when to seek urgent medical advice (e.g., signs of complications like shortness of breath, uncontrolled fever, convulsions) NICE CKS.
- Assess immunization status and offer immediate MMR vaccination to susceptible individuals without contraindications, ideally within 3 days of exposure, to prevent further spread NICE CKS.
- Consider post-exposure prophylaxis with immunoglobulin for vulnerable groups (infants under 6 months, pregnant women, immunocompromised) based on risk assessment by the HPT NICE CKS.
- Follow-up may be considered about a week after rash onset to ensure symptom resolution, depending on clinical judgement NICE CKS.