Recognize measles rash or viral rash

Measles cases are on the rise in 19 southern provinces. During the rainy season, viral diseases are also on the rise. So what is the difference between measles rash and other viral rashes such as Rubella, HHV-6, HHV-7... or scarlet fever?

Photo: CDC

Rash characteristics

Measles and some other rash fever diseases first appear sparsely on the upper body. By the third day of the rash, the measles rash appears more densely on the upper body, on the face, and sparsely on the legs. While in rash fever caused by other causes, the rash usually decreases, disappears, and the fever disappears by the third day.

The typical rash of measles appears in chronological and spatial order, specifically: on the first day, the rash starts behind the ears, hairline, spreading to the scalp - face and then to the neck; on the second day, the rash spreads to the chest and arms; on the third day, the rash spreads to the abdomen, waist and legs.

The measles rash appears on the scalp, palms, and soles of the feet and is thicker where it first appeared, so the rash on the face and neck tends to stick together very clearly, while on the legs it is sparse. In the first two days of the rash, the fever suddenly increases, up to 39 - 40 degrees Celsius, coughing more, diarrhea, and more fatigue.

At the time when the rash on the feet appears, the rash on the face begins to darken and gradually fades in the same order as above. At this time, the temperature usually drops and the systemic symptoms quickly disappear.

Signs of inflammation

One of the typical signs of measles is laryngitis. The laryngitis stage appears in the first three days of the disease with symptoms: sudden high fever of 39 - 40 degrees Celsius, measles rarely has a mild fever.

Conjunctivitis causes red eyes, watery eyes, swollen eyelids and discharge; runny nose, sneezing, coughing; diarrhea...

Koplik sign

During the inflammatory phase, Koplik's sign also appears - a typical sign found in 60-70% of measles patients. These are small white dots like pinheads, about 1mm in size, scattered on the red, inflamed cheek mucosa or gums.

Distinguish measles from other diseases that also have skin rashes

Rubella

Fever is usually mild, with no or only mild symptoms of respiratory tract infection. Rubella rash appears earlier from day 1-2 of illness, does not tend to stick together and does not leave dark spots when it disappears. Rubella patients do not have Koplik's sign but instead have many lymph nodes behind the ears, occipital region, under the chin and prolonged swelling and pain.

Roseola fever caused by Human Herpes virus 6

Often seen in children under 3 years old, fever lasts for the first 3 days and then disappears. When the fever subsides, a sparse, pale erythematous rash appears, lasting for 24 hours and then disappearing without leaving a trace. The patient is not tired or lethargic.

Chickenpox

The rash first appears on the chest, face, and back, and over the following days turns into more obvious blisters.

Rash caused by other viruses such as Adenovirus, ECHO 16...: maculopapular rash does not appear in sequence but at the same time on the skin of the whole body, without Koplik's sign.

There are also rashes due to other causes.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhan-biet-ban-do-soi-hay-phat-ban-do-vi-rut-20241028083411807.htm