Is baby rash measles?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 22, 2024
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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 Gong Hui
Pediatrics
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Difference between infantile acute rash and measles

First, the pathogens: Roseola in infants is caused by human herpesvirus type 6 infection, whereas measles is caused by the measles virus. Second, clinical manifestations: The clinical presentation of roseola includes high fever for three to five days followed by a rash. Typically, by the time the rash appears, the body temperature has already started to decline. The decline of fever concurrent with the appearance of the rash is a major diagnostic feature of roseola in infants. In contrast, measles typically involves high fever for three to four days before the onset of a rash. The rash tends to appear when the body temperature is at its peak, and it takes about 3-4 days for the rash to be fully present. The progression of the rash typically follows a sequence starting from the face, neck, and then the trunk, in a complete order. The primary difference between roseola and measles is the relationship between fever and body temperature: in roseola, the fever subsides and the rash appears after 4-5 days once the body temperature begins to decrease. In measles, the rash appears as the body temperature reaches a peak after 3-4 days of fever. This is the key distinction between roseola and measles.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
1min 6sec home-news-image

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 Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
55sec home-news-image

The difference between Kawasaki disease and measles

Kawasaki disease and measles are different; Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis, and infection may be a trigger. Clinically, it presents with fever, rash, enlargement of cervical lymph nodes, conjunctival congestion, cracked lips, strawberry tongue, and edema of the extremities. During the recovery phase, desquamation occurs, and in severe cases, it affects the coronary arteries, leading to coronary artery aneurysms and thrombotic obstruction. Measles, on the other hand, is a viral infectious disease. Clinically, it also presents with fever and rash. The rash typically appears and increases as the fever and body temperature gradually rise. As the fever caused by measles is gradually controlled, the rash gradually subsides. It does not lead to coronary artery aneurysms or thrombotic obstructions.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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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
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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.