In the United States today, reports of measles — a virus-borne respiratory illness — are a lot less common than they were in the past because of the development of the measles vaccine in 1963. In fact, the measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99 percent reduction in U.S. measles cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, it is still common in some other countries, affecting about 20 million people each year, the CDC notes. Additionally, in the United States more than 100 people caught measles in early 2015. As with most other viruses, the best way to fight the measles virus, which causes the disease, is to get the measles vaccine before you catch it. This is because there are no specific treatments that can get rid of an established measles virus infection. The illness typically resolves on its own without any treatment, and people without complications generally have a good prognosis. Treatment typically involves managing the symptoms of measles and trying to prevent potentially fatal complications from developing.
Medications for Measles
One of the prominent and first symptoms of measles is a high fever. This symptom can be treated with various fever-reduces, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve). Aspirin is approved for children over 3 years old, but it should not be given to children and teenagers with measles who are younger than 16 years old. Aspirin has been associated with Reye’s syndrome — a potentially fatal disease that causes acute brain damage and liver function problems, among other things — in children with other viral diseases, specifically chickenpox and influenza, according to the CDC. About 30 percent of people with measles have one or more measles complications, which include bacterial infections, according to the Immunization Action Coalition. Antibiotics may be used to treat ear and eye infections, and pneumonia caused by bacteria. People — particularly children — with a vitamin A deficiency are more likely to suffer from measles complications, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO recommends that children receive two doses of vitamin A (50,000 to 200,000 international units, depending on age), administered once a day for two consecutive days. Children with clinical signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency (such as night blindness, dry skin and hair, or ulcers and perforations on the corneas) should receive a third dose 2 to 4 weeks later.
Supportive Treatment of Measles
Various supportive measures can help ease the severity of symptoms and prevent complications from developing. Measles may cause light sensitivity, eye inflammation and red, watery eyes. Cotton cloths soaked in water can be used to gently clean away any crustiness that develops on the eyelids and lashes from inflammation, according the National Health Service of the UK. Avoiding light, such as by closing curtains, can help with light sensitivity. Diarrhea is a common complication of measles, and can lead to dehydration. It’s important to keep hydrated by drinking water or an oral rehydration solution, according to the WHO. Other helpful measures include:
Good nutritionBed restHumidified air or steam inhalation for cough reliefWarm drinks with lemon or honey to relax the airways, loosen mucus, and soothe coughs (honey shouldn’t be given to infants less than 1 year old)
Measles Antiviral Medication
In 2014, researchers made progress in developing a measles antiviral medication. The drug, called ERDRP-0519, blocks RNA polymerase, an enzyme viruses need to replicate. Researchers tested ERDRP-0519 on ferrets infected with the canine distemper virus, which is in the same genus as the measles virus (Morbillivirus) and has a 100 percent fatality rate in the animals. The drug, they found, helped the ferrets survive and develop immunity against the virus (though not when used as a preventative measure). However, ERDRP-0519 has yet to be tested against measles in people, and still has a long way to go before it could reach the market. Sources:
Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Use of Salicylates and Reye Syndrome; CDCMeasles Vaccination; CDCMeasles: Questions and Answers; Immunization Action CoalitionYellow Book, Measles; CDCMeasles; WHOMeasles; U.S. National Library of MedicineMeasles – Treatment; NHSKrumm et al. (2014). “An Orally Available, Small-Molecule Polymerase Inhibitor Shows Efficacy Against a Lethal Morbillivirus Infection in a Large Animal Model.” Science Translational Medicine.
