Measles

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Antibodies

Measles, Koplik spots - close-up

Measles on the back

Rubeola

There is no specific treatment for the measles.

Symptoms may be relieved with bed rest, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and humidified air.

Some children may need supplementation with vitamin A. Vitamin A reduces the risk of death and complications in children in less developed countries. However, because such children may be deficient in vitamin A, it is not clear if children in other countries would benefit. People who are deficient in vitamin A are more likely to get infections, including measles.

Ribavirin, an anti-viral medicine, may be helpful in severe cases or when a child's immune system is weakened. However, this medicine has not been fully evaluated and is not FDA-approved for this use.

Those who do not have complications such as pneumonia do very well.

Complications of measles infection may include:

• Otitis media
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Encephalitis (occurs in approximately 1 out of 1,000 measles cases)

Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of measles.

Review Date: 08/18/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.