From the Research
The treatment for measles in a 4-year-old male child is primarily supportive care, as there is no specific antiviral therapy for the virus. The child should receive plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, acetaminophen (10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours) or ibuprofen (5-10 mg/kg every 6-8 hours) to reduce fever and discomfort, and rest in a darkened room to ease eye discomfort from photophobia.
Key Recommendations
- Vitamin A supplementation is recommended for all children with measles (100,000 IU orally for children 6-12 months, 200,000 IU for older children) for two consecutive days, as it reduces mortality and complications, particularly in children with vitamin A deficiency 1, 2.
- Antibiotics are not routinely needed unless there is a bacterial superinfection such as pneumonia or otitis media.
- The child should be isolated for at least 4 days after the rash appears to prevent spreading the infection.
- Parents should monitor for complications such as ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, or encephalitis, which may require additional medical attention. Measles is a self-limiting viral illness, and most children recover completely within 7-10 days with appropriate supportive care. According to the most recent study 3, patient management mainly involves supportive therapy, such as vitamin A supplementation, monitoring for and treatment of secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics, and rehydration in the case of severe diarrhoea. It's worth noting that the study from 2019 4 is not directly relevant to the treatment of measles, as it focuses on the treatment of the common cold. However, the studies from 2002 1 and 2010 2 provide evidence for the effectiveness of vitamin A supplementation in reducing mortality and complications in children with measles. The study from 2017 5 also highlights the importance of vitamin A supplementation in the management of measles. Overall, the evidence suggests that supportive care, including vitamin A supplementation, is the most effective treatment for measles in children.