If your child has not been immunized and they come into contact with measles, they have a 90% chance of getting the disease. The measles virus is spread by fluid from the mouth, nose and in droplets that are airborne. Measles is contagious from five days after the child is exposed to the virus until five days after the rash breaks out on the feet.
Treating Measles at Home
In most cases measles can be treated at home, but the child should be seen by their family physician or pediatrician so their progress can be carefully monitored. Be sure you take the child’s temperature in the morning and evening, or if it worsens. Record the results. If your child’s temperature rises to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or 39.4 Celsius, administer a child’s fever medication, such as Tempra or acetaminophen. Never administer aspirin to your child when a viral illness, such as measles, is present. Research has proven that there aspirin given during viral illnesses can cause Reye’s syndrome.
Make certain your child drinks plenty of clear fluids while he has the measles virus. Clear fluids include water, apple juice, tea and flat ginger ale. The fluids that your child takes in replace those that are lost due to fever and sweating, as well as reduce the chances of pneumonia, by diluting and keeping secretions in the lungs from thickening.
If your child has the barking cough that often accompanies the measles virus, use a cool mist vaporizer to help soothe the respiratory tract. Be sure to clean the vaporizer well on a daily basis to prevent mould and bacteria from accumulating. Never use hot or steam vaporizers to treat the symptoms of measles.
Activity
Children who have measles should rest in bed because the measles virus causes eyes to be sensitive to light. Do not allow the child to watch TV, read or play on the computer. They should not be active or be allowed to engage in activity that is busy. They can resume academic classes in eight to ten days if the rash and fever have completely disappeared.