What is an urgent step to take with a child showing signs of severe measles?

When a child exhibits signs of severe measles, an urgent step is to refer the child urgently to a healthcare facility. This is critical because severe measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or severe dehydration, which require immediate medical attention. Early referral ensures that the child receives the necessary interventions to manage these complications effectively.

Timely referral also allows for appropriate monitoring and treatment that may not be available at a primary care level. Given the potentially rapid progression of severe measles and its complications, the focus is on ensuring that the child receives specialized care as soon as possible to mitigate risks and improve outcomes.

Options such as providing bed rest, administering pain relief, or scheduling a follow-up in a week do not address the urgent nature of the situation. While these actions might be necessary as part of supportive care, they do not constitute immediate actions that can help prevent deterioration in a child showing severe symptoms.