Technologies

What Does Measles Look Like in Adults? We Ask Doctors Who Should Get Vaccinated Again

As measles cases continue to increase in the United States, this is what you should know about symptoms and your MMR vaccine status.

As of April 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there have been 10 outbreaks and 800 confirmed measles cases in 25 US states in 2025. Of these cases, 96% of those affected are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status. There have been two confirmed deaths caused by measles and one death that is still under investigation.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that, primarily in West Texas, 624 cases have been confirmed. Both deaths also occurred in two school-aged children who lived in Texas’s South Plains outbreak area. Both children were not vaccinated.

According to the CDC, two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is 93% effective. It is uncommon for someone who is fully vaccinated to develop measles. To learn more about measles symptoms and whether you need to get vaccinated again, we spoke with doctors for their expert insights.

What does measles look like in adults and children?

Measles is one of the world’s most contagious viruses with a number of symptoms to look out for — most notably a rash and fever, according to the CDC. The virus is spread through the air, and once infected, measles attacks your respiratory tract.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that there is no cure for measles, and measles just has to «run its course.» However, the best protection from it is a measles vaccine, which is typically given to babies in the form of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

Measles typically manifests at first as a «very specific rash that starts from the face and spreads down your body,» says Dr. Yoshua Quinones, board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan. Other common side symptoms to watch out for include «high fever, cough, runny nose and watery or red eyes.»

Quinones adds, «Occasionally, you may see small white spots inside your mouth. These are named Koplik spots.»

While measles can and will make anyone sick, the CDC reports that it is especially dangerous for children younger than 5. This is because children have undeveloped immune systems and are at a higher risk of illnesses, making them vulnerable — especially if they haven’t been vaccinated.

How does the measles vaccine work?

The measles vaccine protects people from getting measles. It’s known as the MMR, because it’s combined with the vaccines for mumps (a contagious viral infection that affects the salivary glands) and rubella (another contagious viral infection that typically starts with a red facial rash). You may also see the MMRV, which includes a vaccine for varicella or chickenpox.

«The vaccine is a live virus that is introducing a very weak form of measles so your body can practice fighting it off,» says Quinones. «This will prepare your immune system to fight against measles if you’re exposed.»

One dose is typically given during infancy, with a second dose to follow a few years later. The vaccination is especially important for children because their immune systems are weaker. This is why both doses are recommended before they are in school, where they will be exposed to more children (and more germs).

Who should get the measles vaccine?

Measles vaccines are typically given to all children. The first vaccine is usually given between 12 and 15 months of age and the second one is given between 4 and 6 years of age before children go to school, according to the CDC. The ages can vary, though, as long as the doses are properly spaced out.

Vaccines can also be given to adults who haven’t previously been vaccinated or are not immune, although they typically only get one dose. Dr. Omar Al-Heeti, an assistant professor of medicine at Southern Illinois University who practices internal medicine with a specialty in infectious diseases, and one of CNET’s medical reviewers, adds that adults born during or after 1957 should have at least one dose of the MMR vaccine or presumptive evidence of immunity.

According to Al-Heeti, presumptive evidence of immunity is defined as one of the following:

Written documentation of vaccination with two doses of live measles or MMR vaccine administered at least 28 days apart
Laboratory evidence of immunity (positive serum IgG)
Laboratory confirmation of disease
Birth before 1957 (According to the CDC, although birth before 1957 is considered presumptive evidence of immunity, for unvaccinated health-care personnel (HCP) born before 1957 who lack laboratory evidence of measles immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease, health-care facilities should consider vaccinating personnel with two doses of MMR vaccine at the appropriate interval.)

The CDC recommends that adults who work in the health-care field, attend college or university, or travel internationally get two doses separated by at least 28 days, as they are deemed to be at higher risk for acquiring the infection.

Should you get a measles booster if you were already vaccinated?

Despite the ongoing measles outbreak, there is likely no need to get an additional measles vaccine — unless you aren’t fully vaccinated already or have proven immunity (previous infection/exposure).

«If someone is fully vaccinated against measles (two doses) and has not had a major immunocompromising condition occur (e.g., organ transplant), their immunity should be sufficient with no need for further dosages,» says Amesh A. Adalja, an infectious disease specialist and a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

The first measles vaccine dose is usually given to infants and toddlers, with the second dose given during the childhood years. If the second dose was never given, someone could be at higher risk for measles and would, in fact, benefit from another measles vaccine now.

A recent report noted that some people originally vaccinated in the 1970s and 1980s may need a new vaccine because the original wore off. This could be because they were only given one dose and the vaccine has evolved since then, and it was potentially not caught in some people’s medical records.

«If you already have your full series, you don’t need an additional dose; however, I highly recommend checking your titers if you have any doubts,» Quinones says. «An extra shot will never add extra protection because you’re very well protected.» According to Mount Sinai, an antibody titer test measures the level of antibodies in a blood sample to see which vaccines you may need.

Ask your primary care doctor to check your vaccination status to see if your MMR vaccination is up to date and to see if you may need a booster. If it’s current and you are not immunocompromised, you likely do not need an extra shot. The CDC also notes that adults who have received a single dose and have «presumptive evidence of immunity» — documentation of vaccination or immunity — don’t need to get another one.

Who shouldn’t get the measles vaccine?

While the measles vaccine is generally considered safe, some groups of people are advised to avoid it. Quinones recommends that pregnant people not get the vaccine. It is also advised to wait at least a month after giving birth before getting a vaccine.

The CDC also recommends that people who had an allergic reaction to the first MMR vaccine hold off on getting the second dose. In addition, people with any «severe, life-threatening» allergies should consult their doctor before getting vaccinated because it may not be safe.

Those with weakened immune systems should also consult their doctor about getting the vaccine, especially if it is because of disease or medical treatment. If immunodeficiencies run in the family, this could also cause an issue with the shots.

The vaccines can also potentially react with recent blood transfusions so it’s not recommended to get the MMR or MMRV within at least three months of receiving blood from someone. You should also not get the vaccine if you currently have tuberculosis or bruise or bleed easily, according to the CDC.

The MMR doses need to be spaced out by at least 28 days, and you should also not get one of these doses if you’ve had another vaccine within 28 days as well. It’s also important to let your health-care provider know if you’ve been sick recently — with any sort of illness — so they can advise if it’s still safe to vaccinate. If you’re a parent bringing in a child for vaccination, also advise the doctor if the baby has been sick or shown any previous symptoms of concern.

Or if you were born before 1957, you may already have immunity.

Is the measles vaccine safe?

According to medical experts and the CDC, the measles vaccine is safe and effective. Some slight side effects may occur after getting the shot, but they are generally minor and go away quickly.

«The measles vaccine may cause fever, chills and muscle aches/pains in the days after injection,» Adalja said.

Quinones also points out that it’s possible to feel sore at the injection site following the shot.

Beyond this, the CDC reports that it’s possible to see some swelling in the cheeks or neck and in rare cases, a bleeding disorder that will eventually resolve itself. In more severe cases, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to the vaccine, which would require calling 911 right away, especially if there’s trouble breathing, intense swelling or dizziness.

The CDC also reports a small link between the MMR vaccine and febrile seizures, but it is rare and not linked to long-term effects. However, the organization recommends that parents vaccinate their children early to lessen the chances of this occurring.

The CDC also calls out the notion that vaccines were once linked to autism and shuts down any possibility that the two are related to each other, citing experts and research. The CDC states, «There is no link between autism and vaccines that contain thimerosal as a preservative.»

Does health insurance cover the measles vaccine?

Typically, all Health Insurance Marketplace plans and private insurance plans offer the MMR vaccine (as well as other common vaccines) without charging a copayment or coinsurance, as long as you’re with an in-network provider, according to the CDC. Medicare likely also covers the vaccine, whether on Part B or Part D, and so does Medicaid, but it’s always best to double-check with your medical facility and with Medicare or Medicaid to be certain.

Military benefits can also vary depending on coverage, but the MMR vaccine will most likely be covered, as the CDC recommends it be covered across the board.

The bottom line

Despite the outbreak that is currently happening in the United States, people do not need to get another measles vaccine if they’ve already sufficiently been vaccinated. However, doctors suggest checking with your health-care provider if you have any concerns about the efficacy of the vaccinations you received and to find out if a booster shot could be necessary, especially if there is an outbreak in your community. If so, experts make it clear that the measles vaccine is safe and will protect you from the virus.

Technologies

PlayStation Classic Themes Are Returning to PS5 in Next Update

Those 30th anniversary themes for the PlayStation 5 proved much too popular for Sony to ignore.

If you’re anything like me, gaming hasn’t quite felt right without the impactful sights and sounds of the PlayStation 2’s start-up menu. If that is the case for you — for starters, you’re probably also turning 30 this year, and we’ll get through it together — but also, Sony has great news: The classic themes for the PlayStation 5 are coming back, this time for good.

Sony confirmed this news in an official blog post on Wednesday, laying out the new features coming to PS5 in the next system update. In addition to some nifty new audio options, you’ll once again be able to deck out your console’s UI with themes based on its classic predecessors: the PS1, PS2, PS3 and PS4. These were first introduced as a limited-time offering for the PlayStation brand’s 30th anniversary last year, but they went over so well with longtime fans that they’re back for good.

«Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from our community, we’re happy to bring back the look and feel of the four console designs for players to customize the home screen on PS5!» the post explained.

The update that includes these classic UI themes will go live on Thursday, April 24.

«It’s a great move for Sony to give players the option to reskin their UI to remind them of their treasured days booting up their first PlayStation games,» CNET Senior Reporter David Lumb said. «Seems silly to have kept the themes around for a limited time only to return them now, but I’ll take what I can get. That PS1 boot-up sound deserves to live outside my head.»

The initial offerings last year also included a more general 30th anniversary UI theme that will not be returning in this update, though I doubt most people even remembered that one.

Based on Sony’s announcement, it’s unclear whether these new themes will alter the PS5’s appearance during its start-up sequence or if the changes are limited to the sights and sounds of the main menu. Sony did not respond to CNET’s request for comment before publication.

Other things coming in the PS5 update

The triumphant return of these nostalgic themes is clearly what most will want to focus on, but the update coming on Thursday will also give the PS5 some cool new ways to tweak the system’s audio. According to the blog post, these new features will be dubbed «audio focus» and can be reached by going to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Volume] > [Audio Focus]. If you’ve ever tweaked settings on a soundbar or used the Apple TV streaming box’s dialogue enhancement feature, these options should feel familiar to you, and it’s pretty great to see the PS5 expanding its options for folks like me who sometimes struggle to make out dialogue in movies, shows and games.

The audio focus options are as follows, as laid out by Sony:

Boost Low Pitch: Amplify low-frequency sounds like roaring engines and rumbling noises.
Boost Voices: Amplify voice chats, character voices and other middle-frequency sounds.
Boost High Pitch: Amplify high-frequency sounds like footsteps and metallic noises.
Boost Quiet Sounds: Amplify low-volume sounds in a wide range of frequencies.

Technologies

Hubble Space Telescope Is 35: Don’t Miss These 4 Dazzling Anniversary Images

The world’s most famous telescope is celebrating in style with new views of Mars, nebulas and a galaxy that reminds us of home.

The most famous telescope in history has reached a major milestone — it’s 35 years old. The Hubble Space Telescope launched on a grand scientific adventure to study the cosmos on April 24, 1990. NASA and the European Space Agency are pulling out all the stops for the telescope’s 35th anniversary with the reveal of four stunning new space images.

The celebratory views include Mars, two nebulas and a galaxy. The variety of targets shows off Hubble’s versatility and ability to see not only into deep space, but also into our own solar system.

NASA dropped a host of superlatives with words like «transformative,» «evocative,» «engaging» and «accessible» in its anniversary release statement. It’s all true. Hubble’s discoveries have been covered in over 22,000 papers, but its influence reaches far beyond science journals. It has shaped the public’s view of our universe through groundbreaking images like the Pillars of Creation and the Hubble Deep Field.

Check out the anniversary images.

Mars, the frosty marble

Earth may be humanity’s favorite planet, but Mars is a close second. Hubble turned its gaze on the red planet at the end of 2024. The crisp views highlight the planet’s northern polar cap at the beginning of the Martian spring. Gauzy clouds make Mars look like a frosty marble.

Planetary nebula NGC 2899, a space butterfly

A white dwarf star lingers at the center of planetary nebula NGC 2899. This is one of the cosmic objects you can let your imagination run wild with. It resembles a misshapen butterfly or a moth in flight. ESA suggested the pinched middle looks like a half-eaten doughnut.

Gas and dust give the nebula its unique look. All this beauty traces to the tumultuous death of its central star.

Rosette Nebula and gas clouds

Hubble’s look at the Rosette Nebula focuses on a small part of a much larger formation.

The nebula is a place of active star formation. «Dark clouds of hydrogen gas laced with dust are silhouetted across the image,» ESA said. «The clouds are being eroded and shaped by the seething radiation from the cluster of larger stars in the center of the nebula.»

Barred spiral galaxy NGC 5335

NGC 5335 is a barred spiral galaxy like our Milky Way. Hubble’s image shows the distinctive bar across the middle of NGC 5335. «The bar channels gas inwards toward the galactic center, fueling star formation,» said ESA. «Such bars are dynamic in galaxies and may come and go over two-billion-year intervals.»

Hubble hangs on

Hubble orbits Earth. Space is a tough place to live. The telescope’s designers planned to get 15 years of use out of it, but Hubble handily outlasted that goal.

Hubble’s longevity hasn’t been easy. The telescope has weathered an array of technical problems over the years. NASA dispatched five space shuttle servicing missions to Hubble, with the last in 2009.

There are no more space shuttles in operation, so the Hubble team handles all fixes from afar. That has meant some big changes to Hubble’s operations, particularly with the gyroscopes that help point it in the right direction. The Hubble team has had to get creative, but they’ve kept the aging observatory up and running and delivering fresh science and imagery.

Every Hubble anniversary feels like a triumph for the elderly space telescope. It may have a few more anniversaries left in it. NASA hopes it will continue operations into the 2030s. Long live Hubble.

Technologies

Apple and Meta Hit With EU Fines, Ordered to Improve Consumer Choice

The European Commission has demanded that the two tech companies give people more scope to decide how their data is used and better access to deals.

The EU’s crackdown on Big Tech began in earnest on Wednesday, as the European Commission issued the first fines under the Digital Markets Act, a piece of regulation designed to keep major players in the technology world from abusing their dominant position in the industry.

Apple’s fine, the bigger of the two, totals 500 million euros ($570 million), and follows an investigation into whether the company has been preventing customers from viewing and accessing offers that could save them money — cheaper streaming subscriptions, for instance — if they paid outside of its App Store ecosystem. The European Commission found that Apple prevents app developers from informing people about cheaper ways to pay, and has ordered the company to change this practice.

Meta, meanwhile, has received a fine of 200 million euros ($228 million), due to the fact it provides people in Europe with a binary choice to either use Meta’s platforms — including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — for free and accept the company will combine your data across services, or pay a premium to ensure an ad-free experience in which your data is kept separate.

Since the European Commission initially told Meta this model did not comply with the DMA, the company introduced new practices that provide people with more choice over how their data is used. But the company has still received a fine for its previous model.

Silicon Valley and the EU have long had a fractious relationship. Almost 10 years ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook dismissed a massive EU tax bill as «political crap.» But with geopolitical tensions between Europe and the US at a high right now, the fines are more divisive than ever. It’s often tricky to see how the high-level regulatory decisions affect the tech industry, but you only need to look at Apple dropping the lighting port on the iPhone in favor of USB-C charging to understand the power of the EU to sway the behavior of tech companies.

The aim of the Digital Markets Act is twofold. It gives up-and-coming tech companies an opportunity to prove themselves in an industry dominated by the world’s wealthiest companies. It’s also designed to ensure tech users across Europe (and sometimes further afield) have access to the best services and deals, plus the ability to decide for themselves how to spend their money and how their data is used. The European Commission does have the power to fine companies up to 10% of their annual global revenue under this regulation, but these fines fall below this threshold in an effort to be proportionate with the specific violations of the law.

«Enabling free business and consumer choice is at the core of the rules laid down in the Digital Markets Act,» Henna Virkkunen, executive vice president for technological sovereignty at the European Commission, said in a statement Tuesday. «This includes ensuring that citizens have full control over when and how their data is used online, and businesses can freely communicate with their own customers. The decisions adopted today find that both Apple and Meta have taken away this free choice from their users and are required to change their behaviour.»

But to the Silicon Valley tech giants, the EU’s approach can often seem unnecessarily punitive, in some cases forcing them to make changes that they argue are actually worse for users. In a statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Apple accused the European Commission of moving the goalposts, and said the company planned to appeal the decision.

«Today’s announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for products, and force us to give away our technology for free,» the company’s spokesperson said. «We have spent hundreds of thousands of engineering hours and made dozens of changes to comply with this law, none of which our users have asked for.»

Meanwhile, Meta’s chief global affairs officer Joel Kaplan said the European Commission was «attempting to handicap successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards.» He added, «This isn’t just about a fine. The Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multi-billion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service. And by unfairly restricting personalized advertising the European Commission is also hurting European businesses and economies.»

It’s likely that Meta, feeling aggrieved over being penalized even after making multiple changes to its business model, will also appeal the fine. The company remains adamant there’s nothing in the Digital Markets Act to justify the changes the European Commission is asking it to make.