Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Measles
Know the symptoms
It is important to stay alert to the symptoms of measles.
They usually start with cold-like symptoms accompanied by a fever, a red-brown blotchy rash, and sore red eyes. You may also get small spots in your mouth.
Symptoms of measles include:
- High temperature
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Red, sore, watery eyes
- Small spots in your mouth
- Rash, which usually appears a few days after cold-like symptoms (sometimes it starts around the face and ears before spreading to the rest of the body)
If you’ve experienced any of the above, or have been in contact with someone who has, you should call the NHS on 111, get help from 111 online, or call your local GP (doctors) surgery. Make sure to phone ahead before you visit your GP surgery, so you can prevent others from being infected.
Protect yourself and others
Measles is a very infectious, easily spread virus. It’s important that you protect yourself, and others, against the spread of measles. The best way to protect yourself against measles is by making sure you have received the two full doses of the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
We’ve put together a simple guide to getting the vaccine, and help you spot the symptoms.
Anyone can be vaccinated, at any age, if they have not been fully vaccinated, and we strongly encourage you to get both doses as soon as possible.
It’s safe and 99% effective against the spread of measles. Most side effects of the vaccination are mild, such as a sore arm, and do not last long. You can find out more by visiting the NHS website.
Have you had your MMR vaccine?
If you still need to receive the MMR vaccine, contact your local GP (doctor) surgery to arrange an appointment. If you are unsure if you have had one or both doses of the vaccine, speak to your GP or use the NHS app to check.
If you are immunocompromised, please seek advice before you have the vaccinations. Your local GP or specialist will advise you on the best course of action.
The MMR immunisation is a safe and effective combined vaccine, protecting against three serious illnesses: measles, mumps and rubella.
We recommend all international students check with their doctor in their home country to find out if they have received the MMR vaccine already. If you have not, then we encourage international students to speak to your UK GP service and they will advise on the cheapest way to get the vaccine whilst in the UK.
Need to register with a doctor?
If you are a student and have not already registered with a GP (general practitioner / doctor), we encourage you to do this so you can access medical help easily whilst at university. You can find your nearest GP by using the NHS app or the online GP finder. Your chosen GP will then advise on how you register with their service. It does not cost to register with a GP and you can change easily when you move. If you require a letter to prove your enrolment at university, this can be obtained from the Student Services Centres.
Advice for those who think they have measles
Anyone who has suspected measles symptoms should not visit campus or any health or social care setting in person. You should call the NHS on 111 or call your local GP (doctor) surgery. Make sure to phone ahead before you visit your GP surgery, so you can prevent others from being infected.
Support for students with measles
If you’re feeling unwell and suspect it may be measles, please reach out to your course administrator who can provide advice and support, particularly if it might interfere with your academic studies. If you’re unsure of their contact details, these can be found in your course handbook. Your course administrator will make you aware of any additional support services you might benefit from. You can also get in touch with Student Advice.
If you need urgent or out of hours support for your mental or physical health, please refer to the guidance on our urgent and out of hours page.
Information for staff
If you’re feeling unwell and suspect it may be measles, you should make your line manager aware and follow the standard sickness absence procedure.
What to do if you are notified that a student has measles
Please refer to the “communicable disease” incident protocol which is published on the colleague homepage (link below) and provides contact details for reporting. Our protocol requires us to report all potential cases of communicable diseases to Student Services via the Report a Concern line for colleagues.
Student Services will take the appropriate action using the information you provide, but should you receive any further updates related to the case, please call the Report a Concern Line again.
