EBSCO Health

Print PageSend to a Friend
Health Library Home>Article

Discharge Instructions for Measles–Child

Measles is an infection that is caused by a virus. It can spread quickly to others.

Most children get better with time. Home care can help ease symptoms.

Steps to Take

Home Care

To ease discomfort:

  • Use a humidifier to keep the air moist. This can help ease a dry, sore throat.
  • Use wet compresses on your child's skin to soothe an itchy rash.
  • Have your child wear sunglasses to ease light sensitivity.

Be sure that everyone in your home follows good hand washing hygiene.

Let others that your child has been in contact with know about the infection. They will need to contact their doctor for care.

Diet

Have your child drink plenty of fluids. Your child should also eat soft, bland foods that do not bother a painful throat.

Physical Activity

Have your child get plenty of rest at home. This will lower the risk of the rash spreading to others. Your child can return to school or daycare when the doctor has said it is safe.

Medications

Medicine may be given to ease pain, fever, and sore throat.

Note : Do not give aspirin or aspirin products to a child who has an infection. It may cause serious problems.

When giving your child medicine:

  • Give your child the medicine as advised. Do not change the amount or schedule.
  • Use the measuring device that came with the medicine. If you need to use a spoon, cup, or syringe, make sure it has the units that match your child’s prescription. For example, if the medicine is given in milliliters (mL), the device should have mL on it.
  • Be aware of the side effects of your child's medicine. Let the doctor know if any happen.
  • Medicine can be harmful when mixed. Talk to your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child is taking more than 1, including over the counter products and supplements.

Follow-up

The doctor will need to check on your child’s progress. Take your child to all appointments.

Call Your Child's Doctor If Any of the Following Occur

Call the doctor if your child is not getting better or has:

  • Not been drinking
  • A cough that worsens
  • Fever that does not go away with medicine
  • Ear pain
  • A severe headache
  • Been sleeping more than usual
  • A stiff neck
  • Problems breathing
  • New or worsening symptoms

If you think your child has an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov

National Foundation for Infectious Disease
http://www.nfid.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Caring for Kids—Canadian Paediatric Society
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca

Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

REFERENCES:

Measles. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/measles. Updated January 6, 2020. Accessed March 2, 2020.

Measles. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/miscellaneous-viral-infections-in-infants-and-children/measles. Updated August 2019. Accessed March 2, 2020.

Measles (rubeola). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html. Updated October 4, 2019. Accessed March 2, 2020.

Pain management: an overview. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at:https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Updated June 15, 2018. Accessed March 2, 2020.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Kari Kassir, MD