how can you tell the difference between measles and rubella

• Measles is much more infectious and dangerous a disease than rubella.
• In measles there is a prodromal stage whereas Rubella does not have a prodromal stage.
• Incubation in measles takes 1 to 2 weeks, in rubella it takes 2 to 3 weeks to complete.
• The measles symptoms can last up to 10 days, while rubella symptoms usually last up to 5 days.
• Swollen lymph nodes are always present with rubella but not always with measles.
• Koplik spots are a measles symptom while Forschheimer spots are a rubella symptom.
• Photophobia is common in measles, but is not present in rubella.
• The temperature in measles can be as high as 40oC; the rubella fever appears to be less than 38.3o.
• The measles rash consists of blotches that last a while and the rubella rash consist of spots that fade rapidly.

What are measles and rubella?

Measles and rubella are characterized by a rash containing small bumps that spreads over the body. Other symptoms are generally present as well.

What are the symptoms of rubella?

Rubella has some similar symptoms to measles in that there are a rash and a fever. A rash first forms on the face then spreads to the rest of the body. It does not last long and starts to fade to tiny spots by the second day, at which time the fever stops. The rash can last up to 5 days.

What is the difference between rubella and rubeola?

Beyond these, there are some key differences. With rubella, a high fever will begin suddenly and appear before a rash. The fever usually lasts for 3 or 4 days. The rash appears as the fever fades. While rubeola also usually appears with a high fever, a rash will develop a few days after symptoms start.

What does measles rash look like?

The measles rash appears as flat red spots, although raised bumps may sometimes be present. If bumps appear, they do not have fluid in them. The spots of the measles rash may begin to run together as the rash spreads. Both chickenpox and measles are highly contagious, meaning that you can easily spread them to others.

1. What are the Causes of Measles and Rubella?

Measles and rubella caused byRubella is a virus that also contains RNA as its nucleic acid.Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the Rub...

2. Are Measles and Rubella the Same Thing?

Rubella is not the same as measles, but the two diseases have some symptoms in common, including red rash. Rubella is caused by a virus that is dis...

3. What is Measles-Rubella Vaccine?

All children are advised to get the MMR vaccine. It protects from three diseases that are potentially serious.

4. How many types of measles are there?

There are many different types of measles. A person who has the standard measles, sometimes known as the red measles or hard measles, is infected w...

5. Chicken pox is it rubella?

When pregnant women contract rubella, they are at serious risk for miscarriages, stillbirths, or birth defects in unborn children. It is easy for s...

6. What are the 4 stages of measles?

There are four phases of measles, they are:1) the incubation phase,2) the prodromal (catarrhal) phase,3) the rash phase,4) the recovery phase.There...

7. Is measles caused by a virus or a bacteria?

Infected persons may be highly contagious due to the measles virus living in their mucus. Coughing and sneezing can cause the virus to spread. As a...

8. What is the difference between mumps and rubella?

A vaccine against mumps prevented both meningitis and acquired deafness before the vaccine was available in the U.S. Males can contract mumps when...

What is Measles?

Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by an RNA virus, known as a paramyxovirus. The virus can remain alive in the air for a maximum of two hours.

What are the symptoms of a rash on the inside of your eye?

Photophobia (eyes are sensitive to the light). Enanthem present (Rash found on mucus – producing membranes). Koplik spots (small rash found on the epithelial membrane which lines the inside of the mouth).

Is rubella a prodromal stage?

There are no early symptoms (a prodromal stage), in rubella. Rubella has some similar symptoms to measles because rash and fever occur. Rubella is very dangerous for pregnant women and can cause newborn problems such as deafness, microcephalus and even stillbirths.

Is measles contagious in early stages?

During the early symptoms (prodromal stage) of the disease it is most contagious and the person remains infectious for quite some time. Approximately 90 percent of exposed people get sick with the measles.

Is a Koplik spot a measles symptom?

Swollen lymph nodes are always present with rubella but not always with measles. Koplik spots are a measles symptom while Forschheimer spots are a rubella symptom. Photophobia is common in measles, but is not present in rubella. The temperature in measles can be as high as 40oC; the rubella fever appears to be less than 38.3o.

What is the cause of rubella?

Page last updated 28 April 2020. Measles. Rubella. Measles is caused by a virus that specifically infects the respiratory system. Rubella is caused by a virus that invades the lymph nodes, eyes and skin. More severe and can be life threatening. Generally milder, but caution needed in pregnant women.

How long does it take for a rash to spread?

Small white spots in the mouth (called Koplik spots) within 2-3 days. Then a rash, red spots spread to the body after 3-5 days. Pink rash that begins in the face and moves to the body, lasts 3-5 days.

What is Rubella?

Rubella is caused by a virus which also has RNA as its nucleic acid. Similar to measles, it can be transmitted by respiratory secretions, from people coughing or sneezing.

How long does it take for a rash to go away from a person with measles?

After about another 5 days the rash fades and the patient begins to recover. Measles can cause severe illness leading to brain swelling in some people and even blindness. Measles can even cause death due to such complications as pneumonia, and less often, encephalitis. Measles can be prevented if people are immunized.

How long does measles stay in the air?

Measles is a very contagious disease that is caused by an RNA virus, known as a paramyxovirus. The virus can stay alive for up to two hours in the air. Incubation of the disease is from 1 to 2 weeks but symptoms can last for up to 10 days. It is most contagious during the early symptoms (prodromal stage) of the disease and ...

How high is the fever for measles?

In measles the fever can be as high as 40 o C; rubella fever tends to be lower than 38.3 o. The measles rash consists of blotches which last a while, while the rubella rash consists of spots, which fades fast.

What are the symptoms of a low fever?

Symptoms can include a low fever (less than 38.3 o C), general feeling of discomfort, conjunctivitis and swollen lymph nodes. Painful joints can also occur in some people. Painful swollen lymph nodes in the neck are common and the back of the throat becomes reddish in color.

What is the name of the spot on the side of the mouth that is red?

Bruises that form on the soft palate of the mouth (known as Forschheimer spots), will join together to form a reddish area. Rubella in a pregnant woman is very dangerous and can cause defects in a newborn such as deafness, microcephaly and even stillbirths.

Can a bruise be worse than a rash?

Bruising ranging from mild to more severe can occur with worse rashes.

What are the first symptoms of measles?

The first symptoms of measles generally resemble those of the flu. The infected person often coughs, sneezes, and has a runny nose.

How long does it take for measles to show symptoms?

When a person is infected by the measles virus, they don't become sick immediately. There is an incubation period of one or two weeks before the first symptoms appear. While the disease symptoms described below are common, the list isn't exhaustive. In addition, not everyone has all of the symptoms in the list. Another point to note is that individual symptoms listed below may occur in other diseases besides measles.

What are viruses made of?

The virions of the measles and rubella viruses are roughly spherical in shape. Each virion consists of genetic material surrounded by a coat of protein. This coat is known as a capsid or a nucleocapsid.

How long does a measles rash last?

The rash may or may not be itchy. A measles rash lasts for about five or six days and then disappears.

What is the alternate name for rubella?

The alternate names of measles and rubella can be confusing. Measles is also known as rubeola, which some people confuse with the word rubella. In addition, rubella is sometimes called German measles or the three-day measles.

What is the name of the virus that produces rubella?

Measles is produced by a virus in the genus Morbillivirus, which is part of the family Paramyxoviridae. Rubella is produced by a virus in the genus Rubivirus, which is currently classified in the family Matonaviridae. Although they belong to different families, the viruses have some features in common.

Can you recover from measles?

While many people recover from measles with no problems, some develop complications. Rubella (or German measles) is generally a milder disease that causes no complications. One exception occurs when a pregnant woman develops the illness.

How long does it take for measles to go away?

A measles infection can last over a timeframe of two to three weeks. The possible complications of measles infection include ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, and encephalitis. Once you’ve had measles, you can’t get it again.

What is the name of the rash that starts with red bumps?

This can be a simple way to distinguish between the two diseases. The chickenpox rash starts with raised red bumps or papules. These bumps turn into itchy fluid-filled blisters, or vesicles, that will eventually rupture and leak before scabbing over.

What does it mean when you have a red bump on your face?

The measles rash appears as flat red spots, although raised bumps may sometimes be present. If bumps appear, they do not have fluid in them. The spots of the measles rash may begin to run together as the rash spreads.

What is a rash that starts at your hairline?

Koplik’s spots (small red spots with blue-white centers found inside your mouth and cheeks) While both diseases cause a telltale rash to develop, the appearance of the rash differs between the two viruses.

How to treat a rash from chickenpox?

If your child has chickenpox, consider putting gloves on their hands or clipping their fingernails to deter scratching.

What are the two diseases that are caused by viruses?

Chickenpox and measles are both infectious diseases that are caused by viruses. They’re caused by two different viruses. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Measles, also called rubeola, is caused by the measles virus. Both diseases used to be common childhood infections, but now are preventable through vaccination.