There's no practical way of treating measles yet, but your doctor may recommend certain medicines that have proven effective in lessening the severity of measles along the years, such as acetaminophen. Don't take any treatment for measles without your doctor's consent.

Severe complications of measles can be avoided through general nutrition support and supportive therapy such as hydration and antipyretics.

Children six months and older, in countries with high vitamin A deficiency, diagnosed with measles should receive adequate Vitamin A supplementation. Vitamin A has proven effective in lessening the severity of measles by reducing the measles death rate by about 50%. Vitamin A supplement helps prevent eye damage and ear disorders.

Moreover, this supplementation must be taken according to a doctor's prescription. Doctors often recommend that children receive two doses of vitamin A supplement twice a day. Children having any of the following conditions should also be given a vitamin A supplement:

• Children with immunodeficiency
• HIV/AIDS patients
• Children previously exposed to severe malnutrition
• Children with epilepsy
• Children with impaired intestinal absorption
• People who have arthritis (a group of conditions that affect the health of the bone joints in the body)

However, it's always best to prevent measles from attacking instead of the vain attempts to lessen its severity. Click here to learn how you can prevent measles.