Koplik's spots are associated with which disease?

Koplik's spots are associated with which disease?

• A. Rubella
• B. Mumps
• C. Measles
• D. Varicella

Answer: (C)

Koplik's spots indicate measles. These small, bluish-white spots with a red halo appear on the inner cheek (buccal mucosa) early in the illness, during the prodromal phase, before the characteristic skin rash. Their presence is highly suggestive and help confirm measles in the right clinical context, because they are not seen with the other listed diseases. Measles is caused by a paramyxovirus and produces mucosal involvement that leads to these spots; they typically disappear as the rash appears. In contrast, rubella lacks Koplik's spots (it features milder fever and lymphadenopathy), mumps presents with parotid swelling, and varicella shows vesicular skin lesions rather than mucosal spots.

Koplik's spots indicate measles. These small, bluish-white spots with a red halo appear on the inner cheek (buccal mucosa) early in the illness, during the prodromal phase, before the characteristic skin rash. Their presence is highly suggestive and help confirm measles in the right clinical context, because they are not seen with the other listed diseases. Measles is caused by a paramyxovirus and produces mucosal involvement that leads to these spots; they typically disappear as the rash appears. In contrast, rubella lacks Koplik's spots (it features milder fever and lymphadenopathy), mumps presents with parotid swelling, and varicella shows vesicular skin lesions rather than mucosal spots.