The primary approach to treating measles is supportive therapy, aimed at alleviating symptoms, preventing complications, and promoting recovery. Since measles is caused by a viral infection, there are currently no specific antiviral drugs that can directly eradicate the pathogen. Therefore, treatment focuses on maintaining fluid balance, controlling fever, and managing respiratory symptoms. Healthcare providers will develop personalized care plans based on the severity of the patient's condition and closely monitor for signs of serious complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis.
Therapeutic strategies should combine pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures, emphasizing the importance of infection prevention. Home isolation, environmental ventilation, and personal hygiene are key to controlling the spread of the disease. During the acute phase, hospitalization may be necessary, especially for children, immunocompromised patients, or those with severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Another important aspect of treatment is enhancing the patient's immune response, for example, through vitamin A supplementation to reduce the risk of severe illness, a practice adopted by many national health agencies as part of standard treatment protocols.
Current strategies can be divided into direct symptom relief and indirect prevention of complications. Symptom relief includes antipyretic medications to control fever, bronchodilators to improve airway obstruction, and topical eye drops to soothe conjunctivitis. Indirect preventive measures include isolation, environmental control, and nutritional support, such as providing high-nutrition-density diets to compensate for energy expenditure.
If pneumonia occurs, antibiotics should be used to treat secondary bacterial infections. Severe complications like encephalitis require transfer to intensive care for monitoring. Medical guidelines also recommend eye examinations for all measles patients, as the virus can cause corneal damage, necessitating local ophthalmic treatment in collaboration with ophthalmologists.
Medications in measles management are mainly used to control symptoms and prevent complications. Vitamin A supplementation has been shown to reduce the severity and mortality of measles; the World Health Organization recommends starting this treatment on the first day of symptoms. For skin rashes and conjunctivitis appearing in the second week, physicians may prescribe topical corticosteroid ointments or eye drops, but caution is needed to avoid systemic immunosuppression caused by oral corticosteroids.
NSAIDs and acetaminophen are common choices for fever reduction. When using these medications, attention should be paid to:
Antibiotics should only be used when bacterial superinfection is confirmed, such as otitis media or pneumonia. Physicians will select narrow-spectrum antibiotics based on culture results to avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use that can lead to resistance. It is important to note that antibiotics are ineffective against the virus itself; misuse may increase gastrointestinal discomfort and other side effects.
Non-drug measures play a central role in treatment, especially isolation and environmental control. Well-ventilated wards or home environments can reduce viral transmission and lower the risk of airway obstruction. Physical cooling methods, such as lukewarm sponge baths, can be used as adjuncts to medication but should avoid alcohol wipes that may cause skin irritation.
Patients with high fever may experience poor appetite leading to malnutrition. It is recommended to adopt small, frequent meals with high protein and vitamin content. In special cases, nasogastric feeding may be used, but swallowing function should be assessed to prevent aspiration. Breastfeeding infants can continue to receive maternal antibodies for protection, recommended until symptoms subside.
Patients should strictly adhere to isolation protocols, avoiding contact with unvaccinated individuals. Daily care should include skin cleaning, eye moisturization, and temperature monitoring. During recovery, gradually resume normal activities, avoiding strenuous exercise too early to prevent exhaustion. Caregivers should wear masks and regularly disinfect contact surfaces to prevent residual virus transmission.
Patients should avoid public places for at least two weeks after illness onset, and wear N95 masks when going out. Dietary intake should gradually return to normal, as early high-fiber foods may induce diarrhea. Physicians may also recommend evaluating vaccination status after recovery to confirm immune recovery.
Current research focuses on the development of antiviral drugs and immune modulation therapies. Several compounds that inhibit viral replication have been identified in laboratories, but none have entered clinical trials in humans. Gene therapy and monoclonal antibody treatments are emerging research areas but are still in the basic research stage. Additionally, immunoglobulin prophylaxis strategies for high-risk groups are being evaluated in multiple countries.
Monoclonal antibody agents may become key treatments in the future. Animal studies have shown they can reduce viral load. These treatments require intravenous administration and may be used for severe cases or post-exposure prophylaxis. However, manufacturing costs and long-term immune effects require further investigation.
Next-generation vaccines aim to improve immune durability and broad-spectrum protection, including subunit and recombinant protein vaccines. These new vaccines may reduce immune waning after current vaccinations but require long-term follow-up studies to confirm their efficacy and safety.
Seek immediate medical attention if high fever persists over 40°C, respiratory rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute, or consciousness changes. Children with symptoms such as tinnitus, ear pain, or hearing loss may have complications like otitis media and should be evaluated by an otolaryngologist. Immunocompromised patients with symptoms lasting more than 7 days without improvement should undergo immunological assessments to evaluate treatment response.
If contacts are exposed to measles and vaccinated less than 14 days prior, they should seek immediate medical evaluation for immunoglobulin prophylaxis. Pregnant women or immunodeficient individuals with suspected symptoms should seek urgent medical intervention for prompt management.
During measles infection, antipyretics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to relieve symptoms. However, aspirin should be avoided as it may trigger Reye syndrome, which can cause severe liver and kidney damage in children and adolescents. Consult a doctor before medication use and follow dosing instructions carefully.
Does a person who has recovered from measles need special vaccination reinforcement?Individuals who have had measles usually develop lifelong immunity and do not require additional vaccination. However, if they had prior vaccination and then contracted the disease, it is advisable to discuss with a doctor to review immunization records and determine if booster doses are necessary to ensure protection. Those with compromised immunity may need more rigorous follow-up.
How can household transmission of measles be effectively prevented during home care?The patient should be isolated until four days after rash onset, and contacts should wear medical masks and wash hands frequently. The environment should be well-ventilated, and shared utensils should be avoided. Patient clothing and bedding should be washed separately, preferably in water above 60°C. If there are unvaccinated individuals at home (such as infants or immunodeficient patients), they should seek medical evaluation promptly to consider post-exposure vaccination or immunoglobulin therapy.
Why are antiviral drugs limited in effectiveness against measles?Measles is caused by a virus, and currently, there are no highly effective antiviral drugs that can directly eliminate the virus. Treatment mainly involves supportive care, such as hydration, fever reduction, and complication prevention. New antiviral agents like ribavirin are only used in immunocompromised patients or severe cases, with variable results and under strict medical assessment.
When should immunoglobulin be administered after suspected exposure to a measles patient?Administering measles immunoglobulin within 72 hours of exposure can reduce the risk of disease or lessen severity. This measure is suitable for infants under 12 months, pregnant women, immunodeficient individuals, or those who have been exposed but not vaccinated. However, immunoglobulin provides only short-term protection; vaccination should still be administered as scheduled to establish long-term immunity.
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