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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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 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 Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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What should I do about baby measles?

The main treatments for measles in infants include symptomatic treatment, enhanced care, and prevention of complications. Children with measles should rest in bed, maintain a suitable indoor temperature and air circulation, avoid strong light exposure, and ensure cleanliness of the skin, eyes, and mouth. Encourage them to drink plenty of water and provide easily digestible, nutritionally rich food. For fever, a small dose of antipyretic can be used as appropriate, but rapid fever reduction should be avoided, especially during the initial diagnosis period. Cough may be treated with nebulization and cough suppressants. It is necessary to supplement vitamins. Appropriate treatments should be given for complications, and antibiotics should be provided for secondary infections.

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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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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.