Difference Between Measles and Rubella

The main difference between measles and rubella is that measles is a highly contagious and infectious disease caused by the measles virus while rubella is a mildly infectious disease caused by the rubella virus.

measles versus rubella

Disease can be defined as the deviation from the normal or stable internal state of homeostasis through structural or functional disorders of the body. Measles is an infectious and highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus. On the other hand, rubella is an infectious and often mild disease that is caused by the rubella virus .This disease is so mild that even half of people do not realize they are infected. Measles usually develops in 10 to 12 days when exposed to the infected person and lasts 7 to 10 days. While rubella begins in about two weeks when exposed to the infected person and then lasts for three days. Common complications of measles include pneumonia (6%), diarrhea (in 8% of cases), and middle ear infection ( 7%), while complications due to rubella can include testicular swelling, nerve inflammation, and bleeding problems.

Comparison chart

Measles or rubella is a viral disease. It is an unpleasant and highly contagious condition. The respiratory tract is first infected with the measles virus. Measles only occurs in humans but not in other animals. It is an airborne disease that can be easily spread through the sneezes and coughs of infected people. Nine out of ten people who share living space with the infected person will be infected with this disease. There are 24 known genetic types of measles, while only six are currently circulating.

What is rubella?

Rubella (German measles) is a rare disease and causes a blotchy rash. It usually gets better in about seven days (1 week). Rubella can be serious during pregnancy. Rubella is the disease that is usually spread through the air through the cough of people infected with the rubella virus. Sufferers are infectious to others for the week before and after the rash starts. Its symptoms are so mild that it is difficult to notice them.

Key differences

1. Measles is a highly contagious disease transmitted by the measles virus, while rubella is a mildly infectious disease caused by the rubella virus.
2. Measles is also known as “rubella,” while rubella is also known as “German measles” or “three-day measles.”
3. Measles includes symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, swollen eyelids, a high fever that can reach around 40°C (104°F), red eyes that may be sensitive to light, and a general lack of energy, for other side. Rubella symptoms are often so mild that they are difficult to notice. But rubella has symptoms like a red or pink rash that starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body, stuffy or runny nose, tender and swollen lymph nodes, low-grade fever usually below 102°F, muscle pain, headache and red or inflamed eyes.
4. The measles virus is the main cause of measles disease. In contrast, rubella is caused by the rubella virus.
5. Measles has complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and middle ear infection, on the other hand, in rubella, complications can include nerve inflammation, testicular swelling, bleeding problems, and miscarriage.
6. The clinical diagnosis of measles requires at least one of the symptoms given, such as coryza or conjunctivitis, cough, and a history of fever for at least three days. Observation of Koplik spots also plays an important role in diagnosing measles. However, laboratory confirmation is strongly suggested, while the clinical diagnosis of rubella includes checking for different types of rubella antibodies, specifically IgM antibodies, and a blood test.
7. Measles does not have a specific antiviral treatment, but drugs are usually applied to treat secondary infections, to relieve pain and maintain good hydration with adequate fluids, on the other hand, rubella does not have a specific treatment, but management is used to respond to symptoms. to inhibit discomfort.

Final Thought

From the above discussion, it is summarized that measles is an infectious and highly contagious disease that is caused by the measles virus and can be effectively prevented by administering a measles vaccine in combination with other vaccines. On the other hand, rubella is a mildly infectious disease caused by the rubella virus and can be prevented with a single dose of the rubella vaccine.