Let's Explore the Differences and Prevention Methods of Measles and Chickenpox.

During seasons where immunity tends to weaken, it's crucial to be cautious of infectious diseases. Measles and chickenpox, in particular, have strong infectivity and require special attention. However, these two diseases have similar symptoms, making them easy to confuse. Let's refer to the information from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to understand the differences between measles and chickenpox.

 

Although measles and chickenpox have similar symptoms, they differ in characteristic symptoms and infectivity.

 

Measles and Chickenpox: Symptom Comparison

Measles

• Measles is an acute febrile rash illness caused by the measles virus.
• Characteristic symptoms include the appearance of red spots, along with fever, cough, runny nose, and other cold-like symptoms.
• Conjunctivitis symptoms may accompany, and complications such as otitis media or bronchopneumonia may occur.
• The incubation period is about 10-12 days, and it is highly contagious, so isolation is crucial.

Chickenpox

• Chickenpox is an acute vesicular infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which can lead to shingles.
• Characteristic features include rash, vesicles, and severe itching, with red spots appearing.
• Chickenpox is characterized by severe itching, with symptoms such as low-grade fever and fatigue.
• It is highly contagious, requiring isolation.

 

Prevention: Vaccination

Fortunately, both measles and chickenpox are preventable diseases.

 

Measles Vaccine

• The measles vaccine is administered at ages 12-15 months and 4-6 years, each with one dose for a total of two doses.

Chickenpox Vaccine

• The chickenpox vaccine is administered once to infants aged 12-15 months.
• Vaccination records can be checked on the KDCA's vaccination assistance website. However, for those vaccinated before 2002, there may be no records, so it may be necessary to confirm antibody status through blood tests.

 

Although measles and chickenpox have similar symptoms, they differ in characteristic symptoms and infectivity. Regular vaccination is necessary for prevention, and it is important to verify vaccination records. Through healthy lifestyle habits and vaccination prevention, we hope to safely protect ourselves from measles and chickenpox.