Difference between Chickenpox and Measles
Measles and chicken pox are a pair of diseases caused by two different viruses. There is a vaccine for both. Although their symptoms may seem similar, both infections are different, so much so that measles is considered a serious disease due to its life-threatening complications, while chickenpox is considered, to some extent, a common disease with a much lower complication rate than measles. .
Chickenpox |
Measles |
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| What is it? | As for chickenpox, this is a rapidly evolving disease caused by a virus. This is common in children under 14 years of age, although it can strike at any time in life. It is considered to some extent normal to suffer from it. Although there is a vaccine, it does not always prevent suffering from it. In the cases of vaccinated people who become infected, chickenpox attacks although with less severity. | On the other hand, measles is an infection of the same type as chickenpox (cutaneous and generalized). It is also caused by a virus. The WHO indicates that measles is one of the leading causes of death in young children. This disease is highly contagious and considered very serious, so vaccination is highly recommended. |
| Virus that causes it | Varicella zoster virus. | Measles virus. |
| Is there a vaccine currently available? | Yes. | Yes. |
| Symptoms |
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| Treatment |
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Until now there is no antiviral treatment to treat measles. In case of infection, the doctor will prescribe, in addition to quarantine, treatments for other symptoms and rest. In any case, it is necessary that a doctor diagnoses and prescribes treatment for measles, since its symptoms are very similar to those of Zika fever. |
| Forecast | Chickenpox does not usually cause serious problems, although it is necessary in any case that a doctor check the patient. Once you have had chickenpox, the virus will remain in your body. It is not possible to be a repeat offender with chickenpox, but in adulthood it is possible to suffer from “shingles”. | It is important that the entire population is vaccinated against this disease, as outbreaks can trigger a pandemic. Measles has been listed by the WHO as the leading cause of preventable infant deaths (by vaccination) in the world. In case of infection, deaths from complications prevail in children under 5 years of age and people over 30 years of age. The death rate from measles is 30%. |
| Actual status | Not eradicated. | Not eradicated with temporary outbreaks. |