Difference Between Measles And Rubella

Difference Between Measles And Rubella: Measles and Rubella belong to the family of viruses. Rubella is a contagious virus that usually causes pink rashes, fever, cough, and cold. It can also cause miscarriages among pregnant women if not treated properly. Measles on the other hand can cause high fever, cough, and cold. However if not treated properly it can cause hearing loss or can cause complications in the brain or respiratory systems. Although Rubella and Measles share some common symptoms and have the same family, they are different.

Difference Between Measles and Rubella

Let us have a look at the difference between these two infections:

Features	Measles	Rubella
Type of virus	It is spread by viruses in the paramyxovirus family.	It is caused by the RuV virus.
Who is Affected	Infection is mild but mostly causes harm to pregnant women and newborn infants.	Infection ranges in severity. It is mostly common among children.
Contagiosity	Measles is highly contagious	Rubella is not as contagious as measles
Color of Rashes	It can cause white spots in the mouth and can cause severe red rashes.	It causes pink rashes.
Symptoms	The symptoms of Measles include high fever, red rashes, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, etc.	The symptoms of Rubella include pink eyes, pink rashes, low fever, cough, and cold.

What is Rubella?

Rubella is an infection that is used by the RuV virus. It is also known as German Measles or Three Day Measles. This infection is contagious and hence can spread from one person to another. The infection is mild but it can cause huge harm to pregnant women and newborn infants if not treated properly. As Rubella is highly contagious it can transfer from a pregnant woman to the unborn baby. Although the disease Rubella is rare nowadays, vaccinations must be taken to avoid getting infected with the same.

Symptoms of Rubella

There are many symptoms of Rubella. Some of them are as follows:

• Rubella can cause pink rashes which become prominent all over the body.
• It can cause mild fever and runny nose.
• It can cause throat aches and can cause swelling of the eyes.
• It can also cause joint aches.

Treatment for Rubella

There is no proper treatment for Rubella. If someone is suffering from Rubella, it is best to consult a doctor depending upon the severity. To get relief from body aches, it is always better to use an analgesic after consulting a doctor. For mild fever, one can take paracetamol. If someone is suffering from Rubella, he/she should consume oranges, lemons, and other fruits. Foods rich in Vitamin A are also prescribed to patients suffering from the same.

What is Measles?

Measle is a highly contagious disease that is spread by viruses in the paramyxovirus family. It is usually an airborne disease and can be spread via cough or sneeze. It can range in severity. For some, it may cause mild fevers and for some, it can cause severe pneumonia. Measles is very common among children.

Symptoms of Measles

There are many symptoms of Measles. Some of them are as follows:

• If someone is affected by measles after 1-2 days white spots also known as ‘Koplik&#x2019s spots’ appear in the mouth.
• One can get infected with red rashes.
• Fever, runny nose, sore throat, and cough are common symptoms of measles.
• Conjunctivitis is also caused by measles

Treatment for Measles

There is no precise treatment to prevent measles. If the severity is high consult a doctor. If not take fever reducers or analgesics to cure the pain. Consume plenty of liquids and also eat a balanced diet. Foods rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C should be preferred. To prevent measles completely one can take MMR vaccines. This vaccine should be taken in two doses by children aged between 15 months to 6 years.

FAQs on Measles and Rubella

Q: What happens if Measles is not controlled properly?

Answer:

Measles if not controlled properly can cause encephalitis (inflation of the brain), hearing loss, and pneumonia. Measles can also complications in the respiratory tract and can ultimately cause death.

Q: Define MMR vaccine.

Answer:

MMR stands for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. It is a vaccine that is given in two doses to children aged between 15 months to 6 years. The first dose is prescribed to children aged 15 months and the second dose is prescribed to children aged between 4 to 6 years. It is very effective and almost eradicates Measles and Rubella.

Q: Is Rubella contagious? Explain.

Answer:

Rubella is highly contagious and is usually spread by a virus named RuV. The disease can be spread via cough droplets or sneeze. If someone is infected with Rubella the person can also act as a medium for spreading the disease.

Q: Is measles similar to the flu?

Answer:

Although measles show symptoms similar to the flu, they are not the same. Measles can cause watering of the eyes. The risk of conjunctivitis is high in the case of measles than in the flu.