Bed rest, a soft-foods diet, and increased liquid intake until the symptoms subside.
Treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms and may include the use of a humidifier or cough mixture to help ease the harsh cough. Calamine lotion is often used to relieve the itching.
Over the counter or prescribed eye drops and ointments are used to reduce conjunctivitis.
If you suspect that your child has measles, you should always consult your healthcare professional, who will wish to monitor your child's progress through the disease. Your child is most contagious 2 days before symptoms appear, although he or she is still contagious for 4 days after the rash begins. A child with measles (or suspected measles) should be kept at home to avoid infecting others and should not return to school for at least a week after the rash appears.
- An eyewash made of cooled Eyebright and golden seal tea is soothing to inflamed eyes and may help to ease the eye discomfort
- A herbal cough mixture containing Licorice and Horehound may help to relieve coughing; (HINT: to support the immune system at the same time, choose one which also contains Echinacea)
Vaccination programmes against measles are now in place throughout Australia. Your healthcare professional can give you more information regarding this.
Exercise extreme caution to prevent the spread of measles to others, by keeping infected children away from others.