Find out about measles and pregnancy, the symptoms, if measles could affect your unborn baby, and what to do if you’ve had contact with someone who has measles.

Find out about the symptoms of measles, how to help prevent your child catching the infection, and how to treat them at home if they get measles.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. Infected people spread measles through coughing and sneezing. The virus can survive in the air and on surfaces for a couple of hours.

Measles is an acute, highly infectious illness caused by the measles virus. Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It may also cause middle ear infection.

German measles, also known as rubella, is a mild viral illness. It is a different disease to measles. Most people recover quickly from this infection.

Measles is a potentially dangerous disease that is almost completely preventable through vaccination. Find out why being fully vaccinated against measles is important for you and for others.

Rubella is a viral infection and is sometimes called German measles, although it is not related to measles itself. Most people with rubella experience a mild illness involving fever and rash. It is important as rubella illness during pregnancy may significantly affect the developing foetus.

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine recommendations, possible side effects and how to reduce the side effects

Why and how tests for measles and mumps are carried out

Measles can be very serious. Symptoms include a runny nose, fever and rash. Immunisation protects your child, but children can still get measles.