What is the difference between measles and leprosy?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 02, 2024

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Measles and leprosy are diseases with significant differences. Firstly, fundamentally, measles is caused by the measles virus, while leprosy is caused by the leprosy bacillus. Secondly, in terms of the disease course, measles is an acute infectious disease with a rapid onset, whereas leprosy is a chronic infectious disease with a slow onset and disease progression. Lastly, in terms of treatment, measles is mainly treated with antiviral symptomatic therapy, while leprosy is treated with antibiotics and other drugs.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

1min 2sec

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What to do with measles in children?

Measles in children is a disease caused by a viral infection that leads to fever and rash. It is prone to complications such as pneumonia, as well as myocarditis, encephalitis, etc., so it is crucial to take measles seriously and seek medical attention promptly. Initially, antivirals can be administered, along with treatments to reduce heat and fever. If complications like pneumonia, myocarditis, or encephalitis occur, timely appropriate treatments should also be given. Furthermore, when a child contracts measles, it is important to avoid going out since it is an infectious disease that can easily spread to other children, thus outings should be temporarily avoided. During the rash phase, nursing care should be intensified, body temperature should be monitored, and attention should be paid to the child’s breathing, mental response, and other conditions. The diet should be light, allowing the child to eat more fruits and vegetables, and ensuring frequent changing of clothes and maintaining skin cleanliness and hygiene.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

1min 4sec

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Early symptoms of measles in children

The initial manifestations of measles include: First, fever usually moderate or higher, with varying patterns. Second, symptoms of upper respiratory tract inflammation and conjunctivitis. Along with the fever, symptoms such as cough, sneezing, throat congestion, acute upper respiratory infections, conjunctival congestion, tearing, and photophobia can appear. Third, measles mucosal spots, also known as Koplik's spots, are an early specific sign of measles. They usually appear one to two days before the rash, initially located on the buccal mucosa opposite the lower molars as gray-white spots with a diameter of 0.5-1mm, surrounded by a red halo. They rapidly increase in number, extending over the entire buccal and lip mucosa, and may merge. They disappear one to two days after the rash appears. Fourth, other symptoms include general discomfort, decreased appetite, lethargy, and may also include vomiting and diarrhea.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua

Pediatrics

51sec

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The difference between roseola infantum and measles

The differences between baby roseola and measles mainly include the following points: Firstly, the causative pathogens are different. Baby roseola is caused by the infection of human herpesvirus 6, whereas measles is caused by the measles virus. Secondly, the symptoms of fever differ. Typically, in baby roseola, a rash appears after 3-5 days of fever as the fever subsides; in measles, a rash appears after 3-4 days of fever, during which the temperature may actually increase. Thirdly, the prognosis differs. Baby roseola is a relatively common disease that generally heals gradually as the fever and rash subside. If measles is not treated, it may lead to severe symptoms and potentially leave some sequelae. Lastly, their treatments are also different.

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Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

1min 6sec

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Is baby rash measles?

Roseola infantum, also known as roseola, is characterized mainly by a fever lasting three to four days followed by the appearance of a rash as the fever subsides. This viral infection is caused by human herpesvirus types 6 and 7. Roseola is not measles, although both conditions involve a high fever followed by a rash. However, during the rash phase of measles, the fever continues to rise, accompanied by other respiratory symptoms. Consequently, the fever in measles lasts much longer compared to roseola, where the rash appears after the fever subsides. The presentation of the rash in roseola is distinctly different from that of measles, hence roseola is not referred to as measles. However, roseola is sometimes known by another name, German measles, which should not be confused with regular measles. The name "German measles" stems from the similarity of the rash in roseola to that of measles.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

35sec

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How to prevent measles

Measles is a disease caused by infection with the measles virus, mainly infecting people with weaker resistance, the elderly, or those with certain underlying diseases. For the prevention of measles, it is recommended to first avoid contact with infected patients. Furthermore, it is important to protect susceptible populations, especially women, children, and the elderly with low immunity. Finally, one can regularly take some heat-clearing and detoxifying decoctions or medicines to prevent measles.