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• A retrospective study found that cannabis users were six times as likely to have a heart attack compared to non-users.
• A meta-analysis of 12 previous studies showed that cannabis users had a 50% higher risk of a heart attack than non-users.
• Both studies lacked sufficient information to determine whether the risk was different for inhaled cannabis versus ingested products.

As legal use of cannabis in the United States has increased in recent years, so have concerns about potential negative health effects.

This includes the impact on the heart. Two new studies found that people who use cannabis are more likely to have a heart attack compared to people who do not use the drug.

These findings are from a retrospective study that will be published in the journal JACC Advances and a meta-analysis of 12 previously published studies being presented on March 29 at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session.

In the retrospective study, researchers found that cannabis users under the age of 50 were more than six times as likely to have a heart attack compared to non-users. The meta-analysis showed that cannabis users had a 50% increased risk of a heart attack.

The meta-analysis included 12 previous studies, with over 93,000 cannabis users and 4.5 million non-users. This is the largest pooled study of its kind to date.

“Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians’ workup to understand patients’ overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes,” study author Ibrahim Kamel, MD, clinical instructor at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, said in a news release.

In addition, “a fair warning should be made so that the people who are consuming cannabis know that there are risks,” he said in the release.

Effects of cannabis use on heart health

The retrospective study used patient data from TriNetX, a global health research network that provides access to electronic medical records. 

Researchers followed patients for an average of over three years. Compared to non-users, cannabis users had a:

• six times higher risk of heart attack
• four times higher risk of ischemic stroke (which occurs when a blood clot or plaque blocks blood flow to the brain)
• two times higher risk of heart failure
• three times higher risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke.

Participants were younger than 50 and did not have any cardiovascular-related health problems at the start of the study.

Their blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were within a healthy range. They did not have diabetes or prior coronary artery disease and did not use tobacco products.

For the meta-analysis, researchers included 12 previously published studies, which they rated as being of moderate to good quality. One study was conducted in Canada, one in India, and the rest in the U.S.

The average age of participants in these 12 studies was 41 years. However, some studies did not include information about the participants’ ages.

Of these studies, seven found that cannabis use was linked to a higher risk of heart attack. Four studies showed no difference in heart attack risk between cannabis users and non-users. One study found that cannabis users had a slightly lower risk of heart attack.

When researchers combined the data from all the studies and analyzed this pooled data, they found that active cannabis users were 1.5 times more likely to have a heart attack compared to people who were not current users.

One study included in the meta-analysis found the heart attack risk peaked about one hour after cannabis use.

However, because of differences in the data among the studies, researchers were not able to account for several factors that might affect the results, such as how much and how long participants had used cannabis, and their use of tobacco or other drugs.

“A confounding factor, as indicated in this study, is whether other forms of drug use may contribute to adverse cardiovascular effects,” said Hoang Nguyen, MD, an interventional cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, who was not involved in the research.

For example, “cocaine has been known to be detrimental to the heart as it may cause heart attacks and weaken heart muscles, leading to heart failure,” he told Healthline.

Risks of inhaled versus ingested cannabis

Sameer Amin, MD, cardiologist and chief medical officer at L.A. Care Health Plan, who was not part of the research, said more research is needed on the health risks of cannabis.

But “based on [this] early information showing an association of cannabis with an increased risk of worse cardiovascular outcomes, there appears to be an emerging concern,” he told Healthline.

The possible mechanisms for how cannabis might damage the cardiovascular system is not fully understood. 

The researchers suggest that cannabis may affect heart rhythm regulation, increase the heart muscle’s need for oxygen, and contribute to dysfunction of the lining of the arteries. This could make it harder for blood vessels to relax and expand properly, which might interrupt the flow of blood.

In terms of whether inhaled cannabis or ingested cannabis may have a bigger impact on heart attack risk, Kamel said both the meta-analysis and the retrospective study lacked detailed information to determine this.

So “an interesting aspect to look at [in future studies] is whether there are differences between the inhaled form of cannabis versus consumables such as brownies, gummies and candies,” said Nguyen.

Research on other chemicals, though, suggests that inhalation may carry certain health risks.

“We know that chronic inhalation of tobacco and other chemicals damages the lungs and increases several respiratory risks, including things like COPD and lung cancer,” said Andrew Meltzer, MD, MS, professor of emergency medicine and attending physician at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences, who was not involved in the new research. 

“But we don’t know for sure if that’s also true with cannabis, because those studies haven’t been done,” he told Healthline.

Is any amount of cannabis ‘safe’?

“It would be challenging to determine the safety of any amount [of cannabis] without conducting clinical trials or bench work,” said Kamel. “However, given the available data, we believe that the risk exists.”

Nguyen suggests that the effects of cannabis on the heart may depend on how often and how much people use it, but more research would be needed to determine that.

Given that it’s not clear what a safe amount of cannabis is, Amin recommends that people “avoid use of any substance that would increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Less chronic use, though, may have a much lower risk.

“Intermittent, relatively low-dose use of cannabis is mostly benign,” said Meltzer, but “we don’t have a lot of data on the health effects of long-term cannabis use.”

In fact, “some of the reactions we see are paradoxical. For instance, in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, cannabis in short doses actually reduces nausea and stimulates appetite,” he said. “But for some people, chronic daily use of cannabis can actually cause nausea and abdominal discomfort.”

In a recent study, he and his colleagues found that these kinds of symptoms — which occur with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome — could represent a costly and largely hidden public health problem.

With the increased legalization of cannabis in the U.S., Meltzer said there’s essentially an active public health experiment going on, one that requires cannabis users to stay up to date about research on the health risks of this drug.

“Unless we carefully monitor this, there’s the possibility that we might find out in 10 years that there are increased medical problems related to long-term use of cannabis,” he said. 

• The FDA has ordered compounding pharmacies to stop making less expensive versions of popular weight loss medications like Ozempic and Zepbound.
• The order comes after federal officials determined there was no longer a shortage of GLP-1 drugs.
• People who rely on compounded medications say they may have to stop taking the drugs because the brand-name versions are too expensive.

A ban on so-called copycat versions of weight loss drugs that contain the active ingredient trizepatide took effect on March 19.

A similar prohibition on copycat weight loss medications that contain the active ingredient semaglutide is scheduled to take effect as early as April 22.

The bans follow the Food and Drug Administration’s updated guidance for compounding pharmacies manufacturing less expensive versions of Eli Lilly’s weight-loss medications Zepbound and Mounjaro as well as Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy.

The FDA announced the updated guidance after a federal judge ruled against the Outsourcing Facilities Association (OFA), which had filed a lawsuit on behalf of compounding pharmacies selling copycat trizepatide medications.

A similar lawsuit is being considered on behalf of pharmacies that produce the less expensive versions of semaglutide drugs.

Compounded drugs are not approved by the FDA, so the agency does not verify their safety, effectiveness, or quality. However, they can be sold under certain circumstances.

Telehealth providers such as Eden, Mochi, Ro, and Hims & Hers have been allowed to sell alternative versions of drugs since December 2022 due to a shortage of weight-loss drugs caused by increased demand for the products.

However, in December 2024, FDA officials announced that the medication shortage had ended. They ordered a transition period for compounding pharmacies to stop manufacturing the drugs, which are still protected by patents, and give Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk exclusive rights to their products.

People who take these less expensive medications are concerned about losing a product that has helped them lose weight. They say they now have to decide whether to pay significantly more for a brand-name medication or stop taking GLP-1 drugs and risk regaining the weight they’ve lost.

Experts say the FDA decision could result in people being denied an important medical tool.

“The reason there is so much demand is because at this time these drugs are the most effective medications for weight loss,” said Mir Ali, MD, a general surgeon, bariatric surgeon, and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.

What will happen to weight-loss drug supply?

A big question is whether Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk will be able to produce enough of their GLP-1 medications to meet demand if compounding pharmacies cease manufacturing the drugs.

There’s also the question of whether prices for Ozempic, Zepbound, Wegovy, and Mounjaro will rise without the competition of copy cat medications.

Officials at Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk did not respond to Healthline’s request for comment on this article.

Companies that sell compounded weight loss drugs vowed to continue to help their customers.

“We will continue to work to ensure that our patients can access the best treatments for their individual needs and goals, and follow applicable FDA rules and regulations on compounding,” said a statement provided to Healthline by Ro officials.

 “GLP-1s are helping millions of Americans improve their health. Continued access to safe, affordable, and consistently available treatment options are critical as we fight against obesity, which impacts over 40% of Americans,” added a statement sent to Healthline by officials at Hims & Hers, which, like Ro, sells a compounded semaglutide product.

Officials at Hims & Hers have released a new report stating that a shortage of GLP-1 drugs still exists in the United States.

Nonetheless, Ali said he expects that Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk will be able to manufacture enough of their weight loss drugs to meet the demand.

People rely on compounded GLP-1s for affordability

Ali said he doesn’t expect the price on brand-name GLP-1 drugs to increase significantly because of the pressure on these companies to make the medications relatively affordable.

However, he said even if there is enough supply and the price doesn’t increase, that doesn’t mean people can afford them.

“Even if the medications are available, health insurance companies don’t cover these medications for a lot of people,” Ali told Healthline.

He added he is also concerned that consumers might purchase less expensive weight loss drugs in markets outside the U.S. Those products, he said, can be of dubious quality and sometimes even dangerous.

“People might not get what they pay for,” Ali said.

He noted that some people might be eligible for gastric bypass surgery as an alternative to losing weight without using drugs.

Minnesota resident Bailey Fields, 27, has polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition that, among other things, can lead to weight gain and potentially type 2 diabetes.

Fields told Healthline her current semaglutide medication from Hims & Hers costs $199 per month compared to the $675 per month she spent previously on Mounjaro.

Because she has PCOS and is at risk for diabetes, Fields’ doctor prescribed Mounjaro. Despite this, Fields noted her health insurance company would only cover the cost of a weight loss drug treatment if she were to develop type 2 diabetes.

Fields intends to maintain her weight but she is concerned she won’t be able to do that if she can no longer purchase the copy cat semaglutide product.

“I don’t know what will happen if I stop taking it,” she said.

Fields is not alone. Tennessee resident Todd Kennedy, 45, relies on compounded semaglutide for weight maintenance and hopes to lose more weight. He’s concerned the ban on compounded semaglutide may endanger that goal.

Kennedy now pays $165 per month for the Hims & Hers product. He said a brand-name version of the same drug would cost him $1,500 per month. He told Healthline he simply can’t afford the more expensive versions and called the FDA decision “short-sighted.”

“It gives people a tool,” Kennedy said. “I feel that taking away a valuable and effective tool isn’t benefitting anybody.”

How GLP-1s like Ozempic, Zepbound aid weight loss

Wegovy and Zepbound have been approved by the FDA as a weight loss treatment.

Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA-approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss, however.

These products work by either targeting the brain or affecting certain hormones to suppress appetite and make a person feel less hungry.

People prescribed the medications are also usually put on a specific diet and exercise routine.

Ali said these drugs are effective because they focus on the source of weight-loss issues.

“By treating the source, they are more likely to produce success,” he said.

Ali noted that the drugs are part of a new strategy in the medical field for treating people with weight management issues.

“There is a slow shift on looking at obesity as a chronic disease and the fact that it needs to be treated that way,” he said.

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• Lorazepam, a common anti-anxiety medication, makes frequent appearances in Season 3 of “The White Lotus” on HBO.
• This type of benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and certain types of insomnia.
• The drug slows activity in the brain, promoting physical relaxation and reducing anxious thoughts.
• Lorazepam has the potential for dependence and may cause life threatening problems when used with opioid medications, alcohol, and certain illegal drugs.

HBO’s third season of “The White Lotus” is underway. A mostly new cast of guests flock to Thailand’s Koh Samui to stay at the show’s namesake luxury spa and wellness sanctuary. Here, spirituality and a possible whodunnit are served up to loyal fans of the beloved comedy-drama series.

This season begins similarly to others, with plenty of intrigue, leaving behind a string of mysteries about who died and how. The show opened with gunshots and a dead body, this time floating face down in a lotus pond.

As storylines are introduced, a surprising theme running throughout this season is the frequent mention of lorazepam, a prescription medication used to treat anxiety and certain types of insomnia.

Victoria Ratliff, played by Parker Posey, whose Southern drawl brings a distinctive ring to the word “lorazepam,” can’t seem to get through the day without popping these anti-anxiety pills like candy, sometimes downing them with white wine at dinner.

Her overuse of the pills leaves her slurring her words, zoning out, and dozing off at the dinner table. At one point in episode 4 (which was released on March 9), Victoria’s daughter Piper exclaims, “You don’t have enough lorazepam to get through one week at a wellness spa”

In this episode, Victoria’s husband Timothy (played by Jason Isaacs) steps into lorazepam misuse territory to cope with a work-related scandal that could ruin his reputation. While attending a yacht party with their three children, he steals Victoria’s prescription bottle from her bag, drinks a few glasses of what looks like whiskey and becomes incoherent.

If you’re wondering about this drug and whether it’s safe for anxiety, read on. We’ll break down how the drug is meant to be used, the main risks, and other ways to manage your anxiety.

What is lorazepam?

Lorazepam is the generic name for the prescription medication Ativan. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which also include:

• Valium
• Xanax
• Halcion
• Klonopin

“Lorazepam is a commonly prescribed medication for anxiety. It’s also used to treat panic attacks and can be used for insomnia,” said David Merrill, MD, PhD, a geriatric psychiatrist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

The drug works by slowing the activity in the brain, which promotes relaxation in the body and a reduction in anxious thoughts.

However, “the first-line treatment [for anxiety] is typically antidepressants like SSRIs [antidepressants], plus psychotherapy,” Merrill told Healthline.

“Something like cognitive behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based stress reduction — where you get a better understanding of what’s driving your anxieties and how to manage the anxiety when it comes up, versus just popping a pill like is done on a TV show.”

Victoria L. Leigh, DO, FACOI, an internal medicine specialist with Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA, said in certain cases, benzodiazepines may be used first, such as with anxiety experienced by cancer patients and hospice or palliative care patients.

Lorazepam may also be used for short-term anxiety related to a medical procedure, she said, such as when people experience panic symptoms in the confined space of an MRI machine.

One 2024 meta-analysis of previous studies found that benzodiazepines were more effective than SSRIs at reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety. Both drugs were similarly effective at reducing the psychological symptoms. 

However, because benzodiazepines have more severe side effects, including a risk of dependence, SSRIs are often recommended first for generalized anxiety disorder.

Therapy can also benefit people by teaching them to notice internal physiological sensations such as racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, numbness and tingling. These are a normal part of the body’s stress response, said Merrill, not something that is dangerous or harmful.

“If you learn how to counteract those sensations when they come up, whether by taking a deep breath or taking a break from what you are doing, you can keep them from becoming a full-blown panic attack,” Merrill said.

Some people can manage their anxiety without medication, using therapy alone. However, “with more severe cases of anxiety, we see the best outcomes with a combination of meds and therapy, at least over the short-term,” Merrill noted. “Then sometimes people can taper off the medications when their anxiety is under better control.”

Is lorazepam habit forming? 

When used as prescribed, lorazepam can cause the following side effects:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• tiredness
• weakness
• unsteadiness
• nausea
• diarrhea or constipation
• appetite changes
• restlessness
• blurred vision
• changes in sex drive or ability

More serious problems, such as life threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma, can occur if lorazepam is used alongside opioid medications such as codeine, oxycodone, and tramadol.

Drinking alcohol or using certain illegal drugs alongside lorazepam can also increase these risks.

“Benzodiazepines are generally safe when used as directed,” said Merrill, “but they have the potential to be habit forming, so you can become physiologically or psychologically dependent on them.”

People who are using illegal drugs or other substances should not use lorazepam. People with a history of alcohol dependence or abuse should not use lorazepam unless recommended by their doctor.

“Because lorazepam is short-acting, its onset is faster, making addiction more likely,” Leigh told Healthline. In addition, “withdrawals from this medication are more abrupt than the longer-acting medications in this family.”

Once dependence occurs, “if lorazepam is stopped suddenly, withdrawal symptoms can lead to seizures, altered [thoughts], and can be fatal,” she said.

How to recognize lorazepam dependence

Lorazepam and other benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, even when taken as directed. 

The severity of withdrawal symptoms depend upon the dose you are taking, how long you’ve been taking the drug, other sedating drugs you are taking, and other factors.

Symptoms of withdrawal include:

• agitation
• poor memory
• insomnia
• anxiety
• panic attacks
• irritability
• headache
• muscle fatigue
• weakness
• tremor
• seizures

Merrill said other signs of lorazepam dependence include:

• needing to fill your prescription early
• using the drug above the amounts or more often than recommended by your doctor
• having to use someone else’s pills because you ran out early
• using the drug alongside alcohol in order to manage your anxiety symptoms
• neglecting your responsibilities at work or in your personal life

If you are experiencing physical dependence or if you had withdrawal symptoms when you tried to stop taking lorazepam, ask your doctor about tapering your dose. Tapering means taking smaller doses over the course of a few or several weeks until you can safely stop the drug.

Other ways to manage anxiety

Many non-medication options have been shown to help relieve anxiety symptoms. Some of these may include:

• psychotherapy
• mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
• EFT tapping
• acupressure 

“Focusing on exercise can also help to balance the ‘fight or flight’ nervous system response that drives anxiety-related feelings,” said Leigh. “Reduction in alcohol consumption and focusing on a balanced diet can also impact the ‘gut-brain axis’ and can improve mental health as well.”

For Amanda Armstrong, founder of Rise As We and author of “Healing Through the Vagus Nerve,” the missing link to healing from anxiety is often the autonomic nervous system.

This part of the nervous system controls unconscious processes such as breathing, heartbeat and digestion. It’s also in charge of keeping us safe through the body’s fight, flight, fawn and freeze responses.

“Understanding the role of the nervous system really shifts the paradigm from ‘I’m broken,’ to seeing that your symptoms make sense when put into the context of basic biological needs, your past trauma history, and how that gets stored in your body,” said Armstrong, who is based near Washington, D.C.

When viewed through the lens of the nervous system, anxiety symptoms are a survival response, one that makes sense in the context of the human body and a person’s current and past experiences.

Other factors can also contribute to anxiety, such as sleep deprivation, being overstressed or over-caffeinated, suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, or lacking connection to other people and community.

In her practice, Armstrong teaches clients two types of tools for managing their anxiety.

First are tools that people can use in the moment if they are feeling anxious or having a panic attack. This includes visual orienting (slowly looking around your space), biting into a lemon, and certain kinds of breathing.

These help people move up what Armstrong refers to as the autonomic nervous system ladder — away from the sympathetic activation response (also known as fight or flight mode) toward a state of calm and connection.

The other group of tools helps reduce people’s anxiety symptoms long-term. Part of this proactive approach is helping people understand what might be contributing to their anxiety symptoms, including:

• past trauma
• current life stressors
• lifestyle habits
• relationships
• micronutrient deficiencies
• health conditions (i.e., thyroid issues or hormone imbalance)

Once clients have mapped out these factors, Armstrong asks: “What feels meaningful, and what feels accessible for you to take on right now?”

While Armstrong said there’s a time and a place for the use of anti-anxiety medications, she empowers clients by educating them about how their bodies work and giving them tools to manage their anxiety.

This approach can also pave the way for deeper work with a therapist, whether it’s talk therapy, shadow work, or somatic parts (aka inner child) work. If the nervous system is well regulated, therapy is often more productive.

Overall, “the approach I use gives you an entire new framework for understanding yourself, and navigating your world and your symptoms in a way that is not associated with brokenness,” Armstrong told Healthline. “There’s also more space for compassion and curiosity.”

Takeaway

In Season 3 of the HBO series “The White Lotus,” some characters appear to pop lorazepam like candy. This prescription drug is used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia due to anxiety or situational stress.

Studies show that benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are effective for treating both the physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety. However, antidepressant SSRIs are more commonly used first because they have a lower risk of severe side effects.

Lorazepam carries a risk of dependence and potential for misuse. This drug can also cause life threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma when used alongside opioid pain relievers, alcohol, or certain illegal drugs.

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• The growing measles outbreak in the U.S. has reached 301 confirmed cases, surpassing the total number of cases in 2024.
• The CDC issued a measles advisory for travelers and healthcare professionals as experts continue to urge vaccination against the disease.
• High vaccination rates help protect those who can’t be vaccinated due to medical treatments or compromised immune systems.

More than 300 measles cases have now been confirmed in 14 states across the United States.

In its weekly update on March 14, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 301 confirmed cases of measles in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.

That’s more than the 285 measles cases reported in all of 2024.

Of the 301 cases reported in 2025 so far, 229 are in adults and children under the age of 20. CDC officials have attributed 280 cases to three different outbreaks in the country.

Texas had the most cases, with 259 reported as of March 14. New Mexico had the second-highest number, with 35 cases.

The CDC added that 95% of all cases are in people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

So far, 50 of the cases have resulted in hospitalization. One death from measles has been confirmed, that being an unvaccinated child in Lubbock, TX. The death of a person who had measles and was unvaccinated is under investigation in Lea County, NM.

However, the measles spread isn’t limited to the United States.

An analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF states that there were more than 127,000 measles cases in Europe in 2024. That’s double the number recorded in 2023 in that region, which includes 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia. It’s also the highest number of cases recorded since 1997.

More than half of the European cases required hospitalization, and 38 deaths were reported in the region. The report noted that nearly 360,000 measles cases were reported worldwide in 2024.

The measles spread has prompted the CDC to issue an advisory for U.S. residents and healthcare professionals.

In it, the CDC recommends medical professionals to emphasize the importance and effectiveness of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to parents and unvaccinated adults.

They add that physicians should consider measles a possible diagnosis in anyone with a temperature above 101 degrees Fahrenheit and/or a rash or cough who has traveled internationally or domestically to a region with a measles outbreak.

They advise travelers to make sure they are fully vaccinated before heading to their destinations. They add that travelers should monitor themselves for 3 weeks after returning for any symptoms of measles.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease that can turn deadly,” said Anne Liu, MD, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics immunology and allergy at Stanford University. “People who are unvaccinated and people who are immunocompromised should be quite concerned about the growing footprint of this outbreak.”

Vaccinations prevent spread of measles

Experts say the reason measles is spreading so quickly is simple: it’s one of the most contagious diseases on the planet.

“It’s unbelievably contagious. It’s the most contagious disease we’ve ever seen,” said Danelle Fisher, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

She noted that people with measles can be contagious 4 days before symptoms emerge and 7 to 10 days afterward.

William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, notes that vaccines are the only protection against measles.

“Vaccination is the way to prevent measles. There are no other ways. Although it has been in the news recently, vitamin A cannot prevent measles,” Schaffner told Healthline.

Fisher agreed. She said people who have had the disease or are fully vaccinated don’t have much to worry about.

“You’re not going to get sick and you’re not going to spread it,” she told Healthline.

On the other hand, people who are unvaccinated or whose immunity has waned over the years are at significantly higher risk.

Fisher said people in these categories should view measles much like the world viewed COVID-19 in 2020 before vaccines against that disease were available.

In fact, Fisher said if there weren’t a measles vaccine, the current outbreak would probably spread around the globe in just a few weeks.

“Vaccinations are the reason this is not spreading even more,” she said.

Fisher urged parents to ensure that children have received their recommended vaccines. She also recommended that adults who are unvaccinated or are unsure about their vaccination status get immunized.

She said the vaccines not only protect an individual but also children and adults who can’t get vaccinated due to medical treatments or compromised immune systems.

“It’s incumbent on all of us to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” Fisher said.

Schaffner agreed. “There are many children and adults living among us who are immunocompromised. If they were to contract measles, they would get very sick,” he said. “We all protect them by being vaccinated and creating a ‘cocoon’ of protection around them, making it difficult for the virus to get past us to find them.”

What else can you do to prevent measles?

Experts say there are precautions you can take in addition to vaccines to lower your risk of contracting measles.

Fisher cautioned unvaccinated people from taking planes, trains, or any other form of mass transportation. She said this group should only consider essential travel.

She added that you can also make adjustments at your job to lower the number of people you come into contact with. People who work at or visit schools or healthcare facilities should take extra precautions.

In addition, Fisher advised everyone to be cautious around anyone with a cough or other symptoms of measles.

“Be very wary of anyone with any kind of upper respiratory illness,” she said.

Even going to the grocery store might be risky for those who aren’t vaccinated.

“As this outbreak spreads, the areas of safety are going to get smaller and smaller,” Fisher said.

What to know about measles

Measles caused more than 3 million illnesses annually in the U.S. before the vaccine became widely available in the mid-1950s. Those cases resulted in 48,000 hospitalizations and 500 deaths annually.

The CDC recommends that children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose is usually given between 12 months and 15 months of age. The second dose is usually administered between 4 years and 6 years of age.

The virus is transmitted through the air or by direct contact with a surface that has droplets that contain the virus.

Symptoms will usually appear within 14 days. Those symptoms include:

• widespread skin rash
• high fever
• cough
• sore throat

About 30% of measles cases lead to some form of complication, the most common being ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications are rare, but they include:

• pneumonia
• encephalitis
• subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Liu said there is also a long-term consequence to measles.

“One of the lesser-known features of measles is that it can wipe out part of a person’s immune memory from prior infections, leaving them vulnerable to infections they have previously had and successfully battled,” she told Healthline.

“These are preventable illnesses,” Liu added, urging the importance of vaccination. “Many people are being hospitalized for measles because of the severity of their illness, not for quarantining purposes.”

Schaffner agreed that measles should not be taken lightly.

“The public should be aware of the current measles situation,” he said. “Stay informed and make sure that you and your family are fully vaccinated against measles. If you have friends whom you know are not vaccinating their children, urge them to speak with their doctor about their concerns. Reach out and make them feel comfortable that vaccination is best for their family and for the entire community. We’re all in this together.”

Takeaway

The number of measles cases in the United States in 2025 has surpassed 300. That’s more than the number of cases reported in all of 2024.

The largest outbreak this year has been in Texas, where 259 cases have been confirmed.

Officials at the CDC say 95% of the cases nationwide are in unvaccinated people or whose vaccination status is unknown.

Experts say fully vaccinated people will not get sick from the disease, nor will they spread it. They urge parents to ensure their children have received the two recommended doses of the MMR vaccine.

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