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Treatment

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The disease is usually self limiting in immunocompetent people (1).

Treatment is as follows:

  • important to be aware of the possible complications
  • isolation
  • analgesics for headache and backache
  • treatment of bacterial superinfection
  • monitor and correct nutritional and hydrational changes; measles may produce dramatic weight reduction
  • prognosis generally very good in the developed world
  • in the developing world measles is a major cause of morbidity and mortality: up to 40% mortality in some studies; dependent upon the nutritional status of the sufferer. Younger children are affected in the developing world compared to the developed world.
  • measles is a notifiable disease in the UK

Management of contacts:

  • non-vaccinated contacts (over the age of 9 months) of the sufferer should be given live measles vaccine, best within 3 days of the exposure (1), but up to 6 days in particular patients such as immunocompromised
  • in case of MMR being too late to provide effective post-exposure prophylaxis, it will offer protection against future exposure in previously unvaccinated individuals (2)
  • alternatively, immunodeficient contacts, pregnant women negative for measles IgG or those under the age of nine months may be given intravenous immunoglobulin as soon as possible after exposure (ideally within 6 days) (2)

The disease is infectious for four days after the onset of the rash (1).

Reference:

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