MEASLES TREATMENT Let me start off by saying that there is no specific treatment for measles. The disease is very infectious and is passed normally from infected mucous being spread by mouth during coughing or sneezing. It is generally spread by pre school or school children. As I say it is very infectious and can spread through a whole school very quickly. The standard treatment for measles in children is to keep them in bed for a few days (you will probably find that at its peak they will want to anyway as they will feel very weak and achy as well as running a high temperature). Always give them plenty of fluids to drink. There is no specific magic pill or drug a doctor can give a patient suffering from measles, however, paracetamol based products will help to bring their temperature down. One of the most important things you should know regarding the measles virus is that it is still pretty infectious for up to 2 weeks after the measles rash has appeared. It is therefore very important to keep them away from other children for that time to stop the spread of the very infectious measles virus. Having said that there is probably a good chance that the child will have already passed the infection on before he or she knew they had it, ie before the measles rash appeared. Normally treatment lasts about 10 days. At the risk of repeating myself it is far better for a child to have measles treatment before catching the virus. You know what I am talking about dont you. In the form of the triple MMR vaccination. This has now been proved to be safe and will also protect your child from the two other nasty diseases of mumps and rubella. The child needs one injectiion between the ages of 1 and 2 and a booster just before starting school. COMPLICATIONS AND MEASLES TREATMENT Fitting - with young children , keeping the temperature down is important as it can cause them to fit. Very young children are prone to something called an infantile convulsion which is often brought on when the patient gets too hot. Ear Or Chest Infection - Occasionally side effects of measles such as an ear infection or pneumonia may need treating with antibiotics. A measles infection although not too serious can cause these other more serious problems. Encephalitis (infection of the brain) - I do not want to alarm you with this one as Encephalitis is very rare but can occur and is far more serious than the measles infection itself and need to be treated quickly So To Summarise. - Normal treatment is:
In the event of further side effects such as an ear infection,chest infection or any kind of fit it is important that you seek further medical treatment from your doctor.
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