How to tell the difference between measles and chickenpox?

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Huynh Thi Diem Thuy - Vaccine Consultant - Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Measles is a contagious disease that can easily become an epidemic if it is not actively prevented and prevented. Currently, many people are still confused between chickenpox and measles because the signs and symptoms of these two diseases have many confusing points. The following article will help distinguish measles and chickenpox.

Chickenpox has similar symptoms to measles, making it easy for people to confuse it. Both of these diseases are benign diseases, but if not treated in time, the disease will have serious complications.
Measles and chickenpox are both prone to outbreaks in the fall and winter. This is the time when the epidemic is very easy to break out. People with weak immune systems are susceptible to these two diseases.
In fact, a lot of people confuse measles and chickenpox. Some signs to recognize these 2 diseases are as follows:

Measles is a viral disease that is spread through the respiratory tract. The typical signs of measles such as sneezing, low-grade fever, runny nose, rash appear on the face, the rash will spread gradually from the face to the feet. The patient will have no fever, when the rash appears. If the patient still has a fever, it is important to watch out for dangerous complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, or possibly death. The disease is transmitted by respiratory droplets by direct contact with sick people. The incubation period lasts about 10 days, so an infected person can spread it to a healthy person even before the disease has started. Measles is considered a dangerous infectious disease, it is also the leading cause of death for children under 5 years old. The initial manifestation of measles is a low-grade fever then a high fever to 39-40 degrees. When you see signs of high fever with red spots all over the body, signs of respiratory tract infection, conjunctivitis, then immediately think of measles. Patients need to be examined and treated promptly to avoid dangerous complications. 1.2 For patients with chickenpox After being exposed to the source of the disease, after about 10-14 days, chickenpox will appear. The telltale signs when the disease begins is blisters on the face then spread to the whole body. If the patient is seriously ill, the blisters will be larger or infected, the acne will contain cloudy pus. The child will become lazy to eat, mild fever when sick. When adults get sick, there will be signs such as high fever, headache, vomiting. The duration of chickenpox will last from 7-10 days, the sores will scab and dry out if there are no complications. In other cases, the bruise where the blister pops will not leave a scar if it is not infected with the blister. The Varicella Zoter virus causes chickenpox. This is an acute illness. Chickenpox is easily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets through direct contact.

People with mild measles do not need to go to the hospital for treatment. It is necessary to isolate the sick person, avoid the wind and should rest. You can take fever-reducing medicine, eat soft foods and limit contact with people around. Wear a medical mask when talking or interacting with others. Do not self-medicate without consulting a medical professional.
Subjects with continuous high fever, difficulty breathing... must be taken immediately to the hospital for timely treatment to avoid dangerous complications.
Children should be fully vaccinated against measles. Absolutely do not arbitrarily use herbal medicines of unknown origin to bathe young children.

The most important thing for chickenpox patients is skin care. If the chickenpox is infected, in severe cases can cause blood infection or can leave scars for the patient.
For patients with good resistance, the disease will heal on its own and vice versa. All subjects must be vaccinated against chickenpox. Do not use oral remedies that have not been scientifically tested to self-medicate.
According to the Ministry of Health, children need to be fully vaccinated and on time to prevent measles and chickenpox. This is the most effective way to prevent disease. For people with the disease, it is necessary to receive proper care and treatment to avoid the risk of complications.
Vinmec International General Hospital is currently providing a Package Immunization Program with a variety of vaccines for different audiences, from infants, young children, women before and during pregnancy. Effective prevention of measles and chickenpox.