The difference between Kawasaki disease and measles

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 13, 2024
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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 Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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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 Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of measles in children

Common symptoms of measles in children generally start with a fever. Usually, the onset of measles begins with a fever, followed by catarrhal symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and excessive tearing, which occur three to five days later. If a rash appears, it usually starts behind the ears and around the hairline with red spots and gradually spreads to the face, torso, and eventually to the entire body including the limbs, as well as the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Additionally, measles can cause spots on the mucous membranes in the mouth and is prone to complications like pneumonia. These are some of the common symptoms of measles. If measles is complicated by pneumonia or severe pneumonia, it is important to take it seriously.

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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.

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Written by Yuan Lin Yan
Infectious Disease
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Is measles easy to treat?

Measles is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the measles virus. The main symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, oral measles mucosal spots, and skin maculopapular rashes. Simple measles is easy to treat with a good prognosis. However, individuals in poor general condition or with low immunity may develop a severe form of measles with a higher mortality rate. There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles; treatment is mainly supportive and symptomatic. For high fever, small doses of antipyretics or physical cooling measures should be used, but the body's temperature should not be reduced to normal as this can delay the appearance of the rash and prolong the illness. Cough suppressants and expectorants can be used for coughing. For weak or severely ill children, early injection of immunoglobulin is recommended, followed by the prevention and treatment of complications such as laryngitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, and encephalitis.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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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.