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Infectious disease

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Treatment of measles

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021

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Treatment of measles is usually carried out at home. Only children with severe measles, with complications or patients whose home conditions do not allow for appropriate care are eligible for hospitalization. Children from closed children's institutions and children under the age of 1 year are subject to mandatory hospitalization.

The focus should be on creating good hygienic conditions and proper care for the sick. Fresh air and proper nutrition are needed. To hospitalize a patient with measles is needed in the miller's box, which should not be obscured.

Exceptionally important is the hygienic content of the skin and mucous membranes.
Several times a day, the eyes are washed with warm boiled water or 2% sodium bicarbonate solution.
After the removal of pus and purulent crusts, a solution of retinol acetate in oil is added dropwise to the eyes 1-2 drops 3-4 times per day. This prevents the sclera from drying out and prevents the appearance of keratitis.
Dry, cracked lips lubricate with borax petroleum or fat.
The nose is cleaned with cotton swabs moistened with warm vaseline oil, when crusts are formed, it is recommended to instill paraffin oil into the nose 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day.
Rinsing the mouth with boiled water (for older children) or simply drinking water after eating improves the hygiene of the oral cavity and prevents stomatitis.
Nutrition is given according to age. Symptomatic drug therapy is used depending on the severity of individual symptoms in each specific case.
Antibiotics for uncomplicated measles are not recommended. Children of early age (up to 2 years), especially weakened by previous diseases, with severe measles, severe intoxication and changes in the lungs (dyspnea, wet wheeze, pneumonia is not excluded), antibiotics should be administered simultaneously with probiotics (acipol, etc.).
With pronounced catarrhal phenomena in the nasopharynx and oropharynx, the use of topical bacterial lysates - drugs IRS 19 and imudon is justified.

Forecast

With proper treatment and care of the patient, as a rule, favorable.

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