Difference Between Measles and Roseola

Key Difference – Measles vs Roseola

Measles and Roseola are two distinct infections caused by different viruses; the key difference between them is that Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus whereas Roseola (exanthema subitum) is a common disease of young children, caused by human herpes viruses, HHV-6, and HHV-7, which are referred to collectively asRoseolovirus.

What is measles?

Measles is a highlycontagiousinfection caused by the measles virus. Initialsigns and symptoms of measlesinclude very high fever, respiratory symptoms including cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Two or three days after the initial symptoms, small white spots may appear on the mucosa of the mouth which are known asKoplik’s spots. Typically a reddish, maculopapular rash which usually starts on the face and back of the ear lobes spreads to the rest of the body. This begins three to five days after the initial symptoms. Theincubation periodis around 10–12 days and the symptoms last about 7–10 days.Complicationsmay occur in about 1/3 of the cases due to the involvement of the other organs and may include diarrheal illness, blindness, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis),pneumonia, etc.

Measles is anairborne diseasewhich spreads easily through respiratory droplets of an infected person. It may also be spread via direct contact. Measles can beeasily diagnosedby its typical appearance. However, in atypical cases, antibody levels in the serum against the virus are important in the diagnosis. It is aself-limiting conditionand cured by the body’s immune system, and it will ensure long-term immunity. Isolation to prevent the infection and supportive care is important during the illness. Antibiotics may be used if a secondary bacterial infection such as pneumonia is present. It is avaccine-preventable diseaseand recommended by WHO for infant immunization programs.

Although it is well-established that the measles virus causes this illness, there are people who deny this fact. Measles can be fatal for malnourished children and immuno-compromised children such as infected withHIV.

What is Roseola?

Roseola is aviral infectionthat usually affects children by age 2. However, it has been known to occur in eighteen-year-olds, whose manifestations are limited to a mild rash following a febrile illness. Thesymptombegins with a sudden high fever which can cause rarely febrile fits with the sudden rise in body temperature. However, in many cases, the child appears normal despite very high temperatures. When the fever is subsiding, a red rash appears which begins on the trunk, spreading to the legs and neck. The rash is non-itchy, lasting up to 1 to 2 days. As complication, liver dysfunction has been reported in rare cases.

Roseola isself-limitingillness and correcting of the hydration during high fever is important. Paracetamol could be given to reduce the temperature. Aspirin should not be used due to the risk ofReye’s syndromewhich is a serious form of encephalitis-like condition occurs with NSAIDs in children. These areno effective vaccines against this infection.

What is the difference between Measles and Roseola?

Definition ofMeasles and Roseola

Measles: Measles is an infection caused by the measles virus, which causes an illness displaying a characteristic skin rash known as anexanthem. Measles is also sometimes calledrubeola, 5-day measles, or hard measles.

Roseola:Roseola is a common disease of babies or young children, in which several days of very high fever are followed by a rash.

Characteristics ofMeasles and Roseola

Cause

Measles:Measles is caused by the measles virus

Roseola:Roseola is caused by HHV-6 and HHV-7

Age Group

Measles:Measles has no age specification.

Roseola:Roseola typically affects children between 6 months to 2 years of age.

Fever Pattern

Measles:Measles has a very high fever with associated upper respiratory symptoms.

Roseola:Roseola child looks normal despite very high temperatures during the initial stage.

Koplik’s Spots

Measles:It is typically seen with measles.

Roseola:Not associated with roseola.

Pattern of the rash

Measles:measles rash begins behind the ears and face.

Roseola:在红疹,脸是看不见的参与n.

Complication

Measles:Measles is associated with a serious complication such as encephalitis and pneumonia.

Roseola:Roseola is a milder disease with no associated serious complication.

Vaccine Prevention

Measles:Measles is vaccine preventable

Roseola:Roseola does not have an effective vaccine.

Reference:

roseola. (n.d.)Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. (2008). Retrieved August 192015 fromhttp://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/roseola

Measels. (n.d.)Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. (2008). Retrieved August 19 2015 fromhttp://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Measels

Image Courtesy:

“MeaslesOsmosisPic5” By Osmosis – Osmosis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Measles.webm(CC BY-SA 4.0)viaCommons Wikimedia

“Hhv-6 (1)” By Bernard Kramarsky (Photographer) – by the National Cancer Institute (Public Domain) viaCommons Wikimedia