treatment

Last reviewed 01/2018

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:

• (1) Asaria P, MacMahon E. Measles in the United Kingdom: can we eradicate it by 2010? BMJ. 2006;333(7574):890–895
• (2) Immunisation Against Infectious Disease - "The Green Book".Chapter 21 Measles (August 2006)