Forchheimer Spots Meaning, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | Forchheimer spots vs Koplik spots

Forchheimer Spots Meaning

Forchheimer spots are small, red spots that appear on the soft palate, the back of the roof of the mouth. They are a type of enanthem, which is a rash that develops on the mucous membranes inside the mouth and throat.

Forchheimer spots are most commonly seen in people with rubella (German measles), a viral infection that causes a mild fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. They occur in about 20% of people with rubella and can appear before the skin rash develops.

Forchheimer Spots Symptoms

Forchheimer spots themselves are not a disease, but rather a symptom of several different viral infections, most commonly rubella. They appear as small, red spots on the soft palate, the back part of the roof of your mouth. These spots are usually not painful and fade within a few days.

Here's a list of some other symptoms that may be present along with Forchheimer spots, depending on the underlying infection:

• Fever
• Rash
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Muscle aches

Forchheimer Spots Causes

Forchheimer spots are small, red spots that appear on the soft palate, the back of the roof of the mouth. They are caused by several viral infections, including:

Rubella: This is the most common cause of Forchheimer spots. They appear in about 20% of people with rubella and may precede the development of a rash.

Measles: Forchheimer spots can also occur in people with measles, although they are less common than in rubella.

Scarlet fever: This is a bacterial infection that can also cause Forchheimer spots. However, they are less common than in viral infections.

It is important to note that Forchheimer spots are not specific to any one infection and can occur in other viral and bacterial illnesses. Therefore, they should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosing a particular infection.

Forchheimer Spots Treatment 

Forchheimer spots themselves are not a medical condition, but rather a symptom of several different illnesses, including:

• Rubella (German measles)
• Measles
• Scarlet fever

Therefore, there is no specific treatment for Forchheimer spots themselves. However, the underlying condition that is causing the spots will need to be treated.

Here's a summary of the treatments for each of the conditions that can cause Forchheimer spots:

Rubella: There is no specific treatment for rubella itself, but there is a vaccine that can help prevent it. Treatment for rubella focuses on relieving symptoms, such as fever, with medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Measles: There is no specific treatment for measles itself, but there is a vaccine that can help prevent it. Treatment for measles focuses on relieving symptoms, such as fever, with medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Scarlet fever: Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause the infection. It's important to take all of the antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, even if you start to feel better.

Forchheimer spots vs Koplik spots

Forchheimer Spots:

1. Small, red spots on the soft palate seen in rubella, measles, and scarlet fever.
2. Can precede the skin rash in rubella, present in about 20% of rubella cases.
3. Classified as enanthem, abnormalities in mucous membranes seen in various diseases.

Koplik Spots:

1. Peculiar spots on buccal mucosa, considered diagnostic/pathognomonic for measles/rubeola.
2. Appear as bluish-white spots, slightly raised, about 2 to 3 mm in diameter on an erythematous base.
3. Seen in 60% to 70% of persons with measles, usually persist for 2 or 3 days.