Frequently Asked Questions - Measles

Updated October 24, 2019
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MEASLES IMMUNITY (TITER) TESTING

* What are the dates and times of the Measles Titer Clinic?

October 29, 2019: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, by appointment
November 6, 2019: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, by appointment
November 13, 2019: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, by appointment
November 14, 2019: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, by appointment
December 4, 2019: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, by appointment
December 5, 2019: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, by appointment
December 11, 2019: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, by appointment

How do I make an appointment for a measles Titer at University Health Services?

Make a 10 minute appointment using signup.com: https://signup.com/go/pghiMUn. Note that the appointments listed above may not be accessible until October 10. If you are unable to see appointments for the dates listed above, check again after you receive the official e-mail announcement.

What do I need to bring to the titer clinic?

Bring your University ID card and your insurance card to the front desk at McCosh Health Center five minutes before your appointment.

I can’t make the titer appointment I scheduled or was unable to schedule an appointment. Can I call Employee Health to schedule an appointment? 

First, go to signup.com to cancel your appointment. If there is another appointment open that you can make, sign up for it. We will add more testing days soon. At this time, Employee Health is not making appointments for this testing outside of the clinic.

Where else can I get a measles titer test?

You can get measles titer testing through your primary care physician.

What is a measles titer test?

A measles titer test is a blood test that checks for the presence of certain antibodies in the blood stream to determine whether you're immune measles.

How will I receive results of the test?

You can request a copy of your test results directly from Quest laboratory (Quest runs the laboratory at UHS). Employee Health will contact you with results and recommendations within two weeks of the test.

How will University Health Services maintain my records?

Employee Health maintains records in a secure electronic records system.

I was tested through Employee Health due to my job activities. Is there anything more I need to do to prove immunity?

No. If you were already tested at McCosh Health Center, Employee Health will have your records in their secure electronic records system.

I was tested at University Health Services during the February 2015 measles case. Is there anything more I need to do to prove immunity?

No. If you were already tested at McCosh Health Center, Employee Health will have your records in their secure electronic records system.

*How may I determine whether my insurance covers this testing, whether at University Health Services or through my primary care provider?

Contact your insurance company. In case they ask, the diagnosis code is Z11.59 an the CPT code is 86765. Most insurance will cover the cost of the titer testing, but check with your insurance provider to determine whether there are copayments, deductibles, or other expenses that are not covered.

If you are enrolled in the Princeton University Aetna HMO, Aetna Princeton Health Plan, or UnitedHealthcare Princeton Health Plan, the test is covered 100%. If you are enrolled in the Princeton University Aetna Consumer Directed Health Plan, the test is covered 100% after the annual deductible is met. For employee enrolled in the J-1 Visa plan, the test is covered 80% after the deductible is met.

I am a Princeton University employee and have insurance but not through Princeton University. Do I need a script or other documentation to be tested at the clinic?

You only need to bring your ID and your insurance card. It is prudent to check with your insurance provider to confirm whether and how much is covered.

*I am retired from Princeton University. May I sign up for the measles titer test at University Health Services?

Retired employees may not sign up for testing via this program. However, you can get this testing through your primary care practitioner.

*I made an appointment to get measles titer testing at University Health Services. Can I get tested for Hepatitis B or other titers at the same appointment?

No. In order to receive a blood test for Hepatitis B or other diseases, you will need your primary care provider to create an order for the test. If your desire to know your Hepatitis B status relates to your work as an employee at the University, make an appointment at Occupational Health to discuss your work-related questions and concerns.

I am unable to retrieve my immunization records.  Should I just get the measles vaccine if I am not sure I had it?

If you believe you have been immunized, a measles titer test will indicate your level of protection. However, getting the vaccine, even if you are protected, is generally fine. Check with your primary healthcare provider for more advice. 

As an adult, isn't one dose enough for immunity?

One dose is recommended for adults, except when there is an outbreak. If there is an outbreak on our campus, th CDC considers immune only people who have received two doses of the vaccine. More information is available on the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/measles/about/faqs.html.

SHARING RECORDS OF IMMUNITY

* What are the acceptable records of immunity?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control, to prove immunity to measles, you must have:

  • Vaccination records showing two doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) or measles vaccine,
  • Medical report stating that you were previously infected with measles, or
  • Lab evidence (documentation of measles titer testing indicating acceptable level of immunity)

NOTE: If you were born before January 1, 1957, you do not need records of immunity.

How do I share records of immunity with University Health Services?

Three ways to share:

The SecureShare gives me an error message. What should I do?

Make sure you entered your full Princeton e-mail address, not just your NetID, on the login page. If you continue to have trouble, contact the OIT Help Desk at 609-258-HELP (4357).

I provided records to University Health Services (Employee Health) during the February 2015 measles case. Is there anything more I need to do to prove immunity?

No. Your records will already be in the Employee Health secure electronic medical records system.

If I have a titer test done outside of University Health Services, should I send the results to Employee Health?

Yes. Please send test results to Employee Health to include in your secure electronic medical record.

* I was born before January 1, 1957. What records do I need to share?

If you were born before 1957, you are considered immune and do not need to share any records of immunity.

ABOUT MEASLES

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles symptoms may include the following:

  • High fever
  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Red eyes
  • Sore throat
  • Tiny white spots inside the mouth
  • Rash that spreads over the face and body

How is it spread?

When a person who is sick with measles talks, coughs or sneezes, the virus is released into the air and enters another person’s body through the nose, mouth or throat. The measles virus can live on contaminated surfaces and in the airspace where an infected person was for up to two hours.

Measles may be transmitted from four days before through four days after the onset of a rash.

Is it a serious disease? Can you die from getting the measles?

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease and the complications are dangerous. Six to 20 percent of the people who get the disease will get an ear infection, diarrhea, or even pneumonia. One out of 1,000 people with measles will develop inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and about one out of 1,000 will die.

However, children younger than 5 years of age and adults older than 20 years of age are more likely to suffer from measles complications.

How are people protected from the measles?

People are generally considered to be protected if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Born before January 1, 1957
  • Received the complete measles vaccine series (2 doses)
  • Were previously infected with the measles

These people are generally considered to be protected (immune) from acquiring measles, even if they have been in contact with an infected person.

Doesn't Princeton require the measles shot for all students?

Princeton requires two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine for all incoming students -- except those who cannot get the vaccine for valid medical reasons or because of religious beliefs. Over 99.5 percent of all Princeton students have received two doses of the vaccine.

One dose of the MMR is about 93 percent effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus, and two doses are about 97 percent effective.

Could I still get measles if I am fully vaccinated?

Only about three out of 100 who get two doses of measles vaccine will still get measles if exposed to the virus. Fortunately, fully vaccinated people who get measles are much more likely to have a milder illness, and they are also less likely to spread the disease to other people.

Should I get vaccinated if I am not protected or I do not know?

Getting vaccinated is the only way to prevent future infection if you come in contact with an infected person. People who cannot receive the vaccine include anyone with a medical reason they cannot get the vaccine (e.g., cancer, weakened immune system, allergic reaction to the antibiotic neomycin) and pregnant women. Pregnant women should wait to get MMR vaccine until after they have given birth.

Do I need to get a “booster” shot?

Not if you received two doses of the vaccine. Even if you received two doses of measles vaccine as a child, according to the U.S. vaccination schedule, you are considered protected for life and do not need a booster dose.

 What is the treatment for measles?

There is no cure for measles, only supportive treatments, including:

  • bed rest
  • fluids
  • ​fever reduction

Most patients will recover on their own, without complications.

Is there more than one strain?

Yes, but the vaccine protects against them all.

How do I know if I have the measles?

If you experience any of the symptoms above, immediately call your health care provider BEFORE going to see them.

If you are a student, call University Health Services at 609-258-3141Image removed.Image removed..  If you are faculty or staff, call your primary care provider. 

When you are seen by a health care provider, they will observe your symptoms and take a blood sample to test for infection.

I thought it only affected infants and the elderly. Can adults get it? 

Yes, anyone who is not protected can get measles and, while rare, it is possible for individuals who are protected to get measles. While young children and the elderly are at increased risk, adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get vaccinated to protect themselves from infection.

As a student, what do I need to do?

University Health Services has vaccination records for students, and has contacted students who have not been fully immunized. They have been provided specific instructions. If students have not been contacted by UHS already, they do not need to take further action at this time but should monitor themselves for measles symptoms and immediately contact UHS if they develop symptoms.

Can I get measles from someone who was born before January 1, 1957, or is considered to be immune from a measles infection?

People who were born before January 1, 1957, have completed the measles vaccine series or were previous infected with the measles, are generally considered to be protected (immune) from acquiring measles and cannot spread it to others, even if they have been in contact with an infected person.

Can I spread the measles to others if I was born before January 1, 1957, have had the measles, or completed the vaccine series?

If you were to have measles, you could spread the virus for up to four days before and four days after the rash appears.  However, if you are considered to be immune because you were born before January 1, 1957, have completed the measles vaccine or had the measles and recovered, and you are not sick with the measles, you cannot spread measles to people who may not be protected by the vaccine series, even if you have been in contact with an infected person.

Can measles be spread by someone who is not sick?

Only someone who is infected with measles can spread measles for up to four days before and four days after the rash appears.  However, the person may not know that they have measles for the first few days.

If I am a pregnant, what should I do?

Check with your physician.

Women who get measles during pregnancy typically have normal pregnancies and deliver healthy babies, but there is a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, infection, preterm labor, or low birth weight.

What if I have questions about measles that are not addressed here?

Check with your physician.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has measles information on its website, as does the New Jersey Department of Health on its website (PDF).

Back to Measles.