Measles outbreak in town: Help me brush up on my knowledge

[JMJ]

DD is not vaccinated against measles.  She just turned 2.  Reading the news reports is making me sick, about how parents who don't vax are killing children, etc.  It sounds like all the people who got it have been vaxed (or at least I'm sure the media would jump on it if they hadn't).

In any case, I'm trying to prepare for the possibility that my child (or my husband or me even though we've been vaxed) could get the measles.  We're eating more foods with extra Vitamin A, and we're all pretty healthy, so I don't think we would have any serious complications, but it all doesn't sound fun, and I'd like to know what else I could do to treat it naturally if it comes.

[SilverMoon010]

I have the book Naturally Healthy Babies and Children by Aviva Jill Room, M.D.  It is all about caring for all diseases, particularly childhood diseases like measles.  It's a great all-natural book. The section on caring for a child with measles is only about 5 pages, but it's great info. She mentions what to feed the child during measles and also herbal remedies, teas, echinacea, etc.  It also mentions when you need to seek medical care if necessary.  If you can get to a bookstore or check it out online to see if it's something you'd want, I'd try it.  At least you'd have it on hand in case of exposure.

I also have the book How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of your Doctor by Robert Mendelsohn, M.D. This book is somewhat outdated, but it contains basic info on how to care for a child with measles. He basically says no treatment is required other than bed rest, fluids to combat dehydration from fever, and calamine lotion or cornstarch baths to relive itching.  Also keeping the child in a dark room because measles can cause photophobia. It just sounds like from what I have read that making the child comfortable is the most important component.  There's no real treatment per se required.

Not sure if this helps you, but I hope it does.

Edited by SilverMoon010 - 4/9/11 at 11:06am

[JMJ]

Thanks.  I'll look into those books.

[Marnica]

There are also homeopathic ways to address measles and all other infectious disease. I found this book very helpful. It talks about ways to avoid and treat all kinds of infectious disease homeopathically

http://vaccinefree.wordpress.com/