How are you treating measles?

[HotWaterBottleSmell]

North Londoner obviously concerned about the measles situation. As I understand, the hospitalised children are partially vaccinated. How are they being treated in hospital? I mean, with what? As far as I am aware there are no specific treatments for measles. Sorry if I am being dim! If my child catches measles, what do I do about it? Wait it out? Are the kids who have been hospitalised suffering from secondary conditions (pneumonia etc)?

Get fully vaccinated is the best defence. If your child had been exposed, you can urgently get a dose to increase protection. Vaccination is the first line response in all NHS guidelines.

Children in hospital might be getting immunoglobulin (antibodies from vaccinated individuals) but that's not as effective as vaccination.

They might get antibiotics and fluids if they have a secondary bacterial pneumonia or skin infection of blisters.

If you think your child has been in contact with a measles case, or has measles, you should urgently contact your GP.

Is your child old enough to be vaccinated? Do that if so.

I think the hospitalised kids are being kept on isolation wards to treat the pneumonia, seizures etc which can accompany measles cases - although you're right there is no treatment for some of the complications, like blindness. The medics must just have to wait and see if they are one of the unlucky ones...

If you think your child has measles, the priority is keep them at home and get them urgent medical help without exposing anyone else. It is incredibly infectious. Maybe that's another reason for hospitalisation, to keep them safely away from others? So you'd call the GP or 111 and ask for a home visit, tell them you think it's measles. Never taking them to a doctors surgery or A&E etc where it could easily spread to someone vulnerable who hasn't been fully vaccinated.

Is YOUR child fully vaccinated op?

You can reduce a significant amount of worry about the actually lack of effective treatments (yes, even in this day and age) for this deadly and life changing disease by VERY SIMPLY vaccinating your own child...

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

“Get them urgent medical help”
but that’s what I’m asking about. What help?

Are you asking what are medical teams physically doing? A quick google says the main issues with measles are pneumonia, Encephalitis and immune amnesia. You can search for how those are treated.

It also says 1 in 3 die infected die with it. Terrifying stuff.

It’s absolutely not correct that 1 in 3 infected with measles will die with it.
Measles is scary enough without posting incorrect information.

@HotWaterBottleSmell you would phone your GP surgery or 111 if they are fairly well. If very unwell 999. Don't just turn up anywhere without telling them you suspect measles.

If your kid has measles, call your GP or 111, then do what they tell you to do. Hopefully you’ve all been vaccinated.

They need specialist nursing in hospital if they get bad complications. There is no specific treatment but they can keep down fevers, watch for neurological problems, etc. It's mainly good old fashioned nursing. Most children will be OK and the symptoms are mild but if there are complications it can be life changing or even fatal.

I had it very badly as a child and I'm told it was touch and go for a while, fortunately I had no long term consequences unlike some.

I'm sure it's very concerning but try not to panic.
Neither me or my sister were vaccinated for measles, mumps or rubella as my mum was advised not to get us vaccinated as there was epilepsy in the family.
We both got measles (I was 9, sister was 6) and were off school for a while. I remember feeling very unwell but we got through it with no ill effects.
How old is your DC?

It is definitely not correct that 1 in 3 die from it.

1 to 3 out of 1000 infected die.
Not one in 3

Measles – NFID https://share.google/Ev5RImGl7N8LSJxfw

OP get your kid vaccinated if you’re able to, this is the best protection for them.

@HotWaterBottleSmell Sounds like your children aren't vaccinated. Frankly, that's how you deal with measles - you get them vaccinated asap.

Thank goodness! Because misreading that was so terrifying.

Have gone back and re-read where I got it from and it’s a statistic for developing a specific complication.

I gladly take back my mistaken comment.

1 in 4 hospitalised, according to Wikipedia. Why would anyone not vaccinate?

To set your mind at ease. My dd had measles. She was vaccinated but caught it before her second dose of vaccine. It was just as Covid hit and very stressful. She was very very poorly. But we managed it at home I think because I knew how dangerous measles are it made it more stressful for me. She’s had other sickness bugs that laid her up just as bad. She’s never been good with a fever and that was the scariest part. She was lethargic and generally just felt crap. I was told because she had had one dose she wouldn’t be as sick as if she had had none. I can’t imagine facing that if she were not vaccinated at all. But knowing the hospitals were full because of Covid and not being able to get her help should she need it were the worst part.

obviously some kids suffer worse, and some suffer less. But you have to remember you hear about the most extreme cases. If you have vaccinated that’s the best you can do and even if they get it it won’t be as dangerous. If you haven’t vaccinated then shame on you because it’s the anti vax that led to my dd catching it in the first place so I’m cross

I had measles as I child - before the vaccine rollout. I was treated at home in the same way as other childhood illnesses - rest, fluids and calpol. Luckily I didn’t experience any complications (as most won’t). As said upthread, specific complications will have various treatments.

Although most won’t suffer complications, some will, which is why the low vaccine take up is so frustrating. It can be a nasty disease and we had got to the point where it was pretty much unheard of in the U.K.

I had measles as a teenager ,pre MMR being available. Caught it overseas.

It was miserable and I was quite ill. Was in bed for about a week, lots of fluids, and paracetamol. But can't have been too serious as I read two books that week.

I do remember feeling pretty ill a few days before I got properly sick, but no spots or fever so wasn't taken seriously.

How would you know if your child is fully vaccinated? If they had all of the usually pre-school vaccines etc offered would that be it?

I also had measles as a child, it was probably the late 80s. My mum said I’d had the vaccine but still got it. I remember being really poorly. Had a bed on the couch, curtains closed, no TV allowed. I remember the doctor coming out a number of times to see me.

Yep. If they have had all the standard jabs they should be covered which reduces the risks for most children.

I had the measles in the late 70s. Lots of my class in primary school had it, back then I guess it was more common. I had a week off school, lots of fluids, darkened room.

As well as whatever the doctor recommends, I would add in some supplemental vitamin A, as apparently that is a good supplement for that particular illness.