The virus can be obtained from the urine for an additional few days. Serum antibodies can be detected within one or two days after the onset of the rash. During the prodromal phase and early eruptive phase of measles, multi-nucleated giant cells with eosinophilic inclusions in both the nuclei and cytoplasm can be identified in sputum, nasal secretions, or urine. In electron microscopic studies, inclusion bodies are visible as granular masses, with the characteristic measurements of the RNA helix. Treatment Uncomplicated measles infection is a self limiting disease.
Supportive treatment is usually satisfactory enough.
The course of measles infection can be altered by treatment with gamma-globulin as soon as possible after exposure. After six days of exposure, the treatment with gamma globulin may not prevent or modify the disease. For the ocular manifestations, treatment is also symptomatic. No specific treatment for uveitis is described in the literature. The most serious complications of measles are those affecting central nervous system and heart.