Measles treatment according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health

This article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Nhat - Infectious Disease Specialist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Measles can cause many dangerous complications, even encephalitis, which can easily lead to death. So how to treat and prevent measles? Please refer to the treatment of measles according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health in the article below.

Measles is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the measles virus. The disease mainly occurs in children under 5 years old, usually occurs in winter and spring, can appear in adults because they have not been vaccinated or have been vaccinated but have not been fully vaccinated.
The disease is characterized by fever, respiratory tract inflammation, conjunctivitis and rash, which can lead to many complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, otitis media, corneal ulcers, diarrhea.. .. can be fatal.

Here are the Ministry of Health guidelines on how to treat measles:
2.1. Principles of Treatment Measles patients should be isolated. Supportive treatment. Complications should be detected and treated early. 2.2. Supportive treatment Keep skin, eyes, mouth and throat clean. Increase nutrition. Antipyretic: You can apply physical cooling measures such as warm water, cool compresses. Use antipyretics when fever is high. Replenish water and electrolytes orally. Maintenance fluids should be given only when the patient is vomiting profusely, there is a risk of dehydration and electrolyte disturbances. Vitamin A supplementation: Children aged 6-12 months: 100,000 single dose units Children over 12 months old and adults: 200,000 single dose units. In case of eye disease due to vitamin A deficiency: Repeat the above dose on day 2 and day 28.

2.3. Treatment of measles complications Antibiotic treatment if bacterial superinfection occurs.
Limit infusion if the patient has complications of pneumonia, encephalitis or myocarditis.
Cases of acute meningitis: Should actively support treatment to maintain vital functions.
Anticonvulsants: Phenobarbital 10-20 mg/kg mixed in 5% Glucose IV over 30-60 minutes. Repeat 8-12 hours as needed. Diazepam can be used for adults 10mg / time intravenously.
Fight brain edema:
Lie with your head 30 degrees, neck straight (if there is no drop in blood pressure). Breathing oxygen through the nose 1-4 liters / min, can breathe oxygen through a mask or breathe CPAP if the patient can breathe on their own. Early intubation to help with breathing when the Glasgow score < 12 or SpO2 < 92% or PaCO2 > 50 mmHg. Mechanical ventilation when Glasgow <10 points. Mannitol 20% dose 0.5 -1 g/kg, 6-8 hours/time, intravenous infusion for 15-30 minutes. Anti-respiratory failure: respiratory failure due to acute pulmonary edema or encephalitis.
Clearing the airways: aspirating sputum widely. Administer oxygen 3-6 liters/min, maintain SpO2 > 92%. Intubation, mechanical ventilation if respiratory arrest or failure of oxygen breathing. Dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg/day intravenously divided 4-6 times for 3-5 days can be used. The drug should be used as soon as the patient has a disturbance of consciousness.
Use more polyvalent immunoglobulin if possible, dose 0.1 - 0.4 g/kg/day intravenous infusion over 6-8 hours for 2-5 consecutive days.

Actively take children from 9 months of age who have not been vaccinated against measles or from 18 months of age who have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine, so they should go to the health station of the commune or ward for measles vaccination. Enhance personal hygiene, disinfect the nose and throat, keep the body warm, improve the body to increase the body's resistance. When having symptoms of measles-like rash, it is necessary to immediately go to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment to avoid dangerous complications. Patients with measles must be isolated at home or at a treatment facility according to the isolation principle for respiratory infections. Caregivers of measles patients should wear a mask and wash their hands before and after each contact with the sick person.