Measles (rubeola)
Measles precautions
- How long
- 4 days after rash onset; duration of illness in immunocompromised patients
- Room
- Airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)
- PPE
- N95-level respirator for everyone entering, regardless of presumptive immunity
- Staffing
- Susceptible staff should not enter if immune staff are available
- Exposed susceptibles
- Vaccine within 72 hours or immune globulin within 6 days; Airborne Precautions for exposed patients; exclude exposed susceptible staff
What CDC’s table says
Verbatim from CDC’s Appendix A, with bibliography numbers removed.
Measles (rubeola)
AirborneStandardDuration4 days after onset of rash; duration of illness in immune compromised
Interim Measles Infection Control [July 2019] See Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings Susceptible healthcare personnel (HCP) should not enter room if immune care providers are available; regardless of presumptive evidence of immunity, HCP should use respiratory protection that is at least as protective as a fit-tested, NIOSH-certified N95 respirator upon entry into the patient’s room or care area. For exposed susceptibles, postexposure vaccine within 72 hours or immune globulin within 6 days when available. Place exposed susceptible patients on Airborne Precautions and exclude susceptible healthcare personnel.
Test yourself: a CIC-style question
A patient with confirmed measles requires which combination of precautions and room placement?
- Droplet Precautions in a private room
- Airborne Precautions with an N95 respirator and an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)
- Contact Precautions only
- Standard Precautions only
Show answer
B. Airborne Precautions with an N95 respirator and an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)
Measles is airborne. The patient needs an AIIR, and CDC recommends that everyone entering wear N95-level respiratory protection regardless of presumptive evidence of immunity.
Questions like this come up in the Preventing and Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents domain of the CIC® exam. The 654 questions in the app each come with a written explanation.
FAQ
- What precautions are needed for Measles?
- Airborne + Standard. Room: Airborne infection isolation room (AIIR). PPE: N95-level respirator for everyone entering, regardless of presumptive immunity. Staffing: Susceptible staff should not enter if immune staff are available. Exposed susceptibles: Vaccine within 72 hours or immune globulin within 6 days; Airborne Precautions for exposed patients; exclude exposed susceptible staff.
- How long do Measles precautions last?
- 4 days after rash onset; duration of illness in immunocompromised patients.
Sources
- CDC. Appendix A: Type and Duration of Precautions Recommended for Selected Infections and Conditions (2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions, updated September 2024)
- CDC. 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Summary of Recommendations
Checked against CDC on October 21, 2026. For education and CIC® exam preparation only — not a substitute for your facility’s infection prevention policies, your state or local health department, or clinical judgment. CBIC and CDC do not endorse this tool.