Measles - Treatment

There is no treatment that can kill the measles virus or stop the course of the disease. Treatments instead are used to make a patient feel more comfortable during the disease. For example, acetaminophen (pronounced uh-see-tuh-MIN-uhfuhn, trade name Tylenol) can relieve pain and fever. Aspirin, however, should never be given to children who have measles. Aspirin has been found to cause Reye's syndrome (see Reye's syndrome entry), a potentially fatal disease.

A cool-mist vaporizer may help relieve the cough that comes with measles. Patients should also drink lots of liquids. The patient should be watched carefully to make sure that complications do not appear. If they do, antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial infections.

Alternative Treatment

Some practitioners believe that certain herbs can strengthen the body's immune system. Purple coneflower (echinacea; pronounced ek-i-NAY-see-uh) is one such herb. Homeopathic support can also be effective in helping a person feel more comfortable during a measles infection.

Some of the symptoms of measles can be relieved by using various herbs, such as bupleurum, peppermint, witch hazel, chickweed, or eyebright (for sore eyes). A preparation made from empty cicada shells has also been recommended.