How are measles cured?

Answer 1

Treatment includes bed rest, lots of fluids and medicine for fever and headache. Antibiotics do not help -- either to cure measles or to prevent it. There are no anti-viral drugs for treating measles.

Answer 2

Measles generally have some fever, aches, and itching where the skin is affected. The child (most often children) are generally kept away from others who have not had measles and the child is kept home from school, church, and other activities in the community. This is important to prevent large numbers of children being affected in an "outbreak". Doctors may advise giving Tylenol and an anti-itch medicine or cream during the worst part of the illness. Some children may become so sick that they need to be hospitalized.

Measles is part of the MMR vaccine and because measles can cause serious public health risks, it is important that parents allow their children to be vaccinated when the children are babies. A booster may be needed in late childhood also. Health risks increase if a previously unaffected adult is infected with measles after childhood.