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.
To ease discomfort:
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.
Have your child drink plenty of fluids. Your child should also eat soft, bland foods that do not bother a painful throat.
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.
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:
The doctor will need to check on your child’s progress. Take your child to all appointments.
Call the doctor if your child is not getting better or has:
If you think your child has an emergency, call for medical help right away.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
National Foundation for Infectious Disease
http://www.nfid.org
Caring for Kids—Canadian Paediatric Society
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
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