There is no specific treatment for measles. Once the rash starts, you will need to rest and treat the symptoms until your immune system fights off the virus.
If there are no complications due to measles, the symptoms will usually disappear within 7-10 days.
If your child has measles, you may find the following advice useful for making them more comfortable:
- Use liquid baby paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve fever, aches and pains. Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16.
- Closing curtains or dimming lights can help reduce light sensitivity.
- Damp cotton wool can be used to clean away any crustiness around the eyes. Use one piece of cotton wool per wipe for each eye. Gently clean the eye from inner to outer lid.
- Cough medicines are of little help and should not be given to children under the age of six.
- Children over 12 months old may benefit from a teaspoon of lemon juice and two teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm water. Honey should not be given to babies under the age of 12 months.
- Placing a bowl of water in the room will make the atmosphere more humid, which can help to relieve a cough.
- Feverish small children rapidly lose water, which makes a cough worse. Children should drink regularly to prevent dehydration.
While antibiotics are of no use to treat the virus, they may be prescribed for any secondary bacterial infections that develop.
In severe cases of measles, particularly when there are more serious complications, hospital treatment may be required.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A supplements have been shown in some studies to help prevent some of the serious complications arising from a measles infection, although it is not clear how they help.
Supplements may be recommended for children under two years old with severe measles, or for children with vitamin A deficiency (although this is rare in the UK).
You may wish to ask your GP about whether your child would benefit from taking vitamin A supplements.
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Treating measles
