Difference Between Rubella and Measles

What is the difference between rubella and measles? In fact, if we want to have a deep understanding of the difference between rubella and measles, we must start with what rubella is and what measles is, and understand the characteristics and symptoms of rubella and measles. As long as we can effectively distinguish between rubella and measles, we will not be confused when we encounter them in the future and we will know how to deal with them.

Rubella is caused by the rubella virus and is characterized by a rash on the body and swollen lymph nodes behind the ears and in the back of the head. Measles is highly contagious and is a common respiratory infectious disease in children.

Rubella virus is an RNA virus belonging to the Togaviridae family and is a virus restricted to humans. The antigenic structure of rubella virus is quite stable, and only one antigenic type is known. Rubella virus can survive and multiply in the placenta or fetus (and months or even years after birth), causing long-term, multi-system chronic progressive infection. This virus can grow in cell cultures such as rabbit kidney, milk vole kidney, green monkey kidney, and rabbit cornea, and can agglutinate poultry, birds, and human "O" type red blood cells. The virus has weak vitality outside the body and is sensitive to ultraviolet light, ether, cesium chloride, deoxycholic acid, etc. It can be inactivated when pH < 3.0. This virus is not heat-resistant.

Measles virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and is a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus. The diameter is about 100 to 250 nm, and there is a capsule outside the capsid. The capsule contains hemagglutinin (HL), which has a hemolytic effect. Measles virus has 6 structural proteins; during the prodromal and rash periods, measles virus can be isolated in nasal secretions, blood and urine. Measles virus has only one serotype and is antigenically stable. This virus has weak resistance and is sensitive to dryness, sunlight and high temperature. Ultraviolet rays, peracetic acid, formaldehyde, lactic acid and ether can kill the measles virus, but it can survive for a long time in low temperatures.

Measles and rubella are both respiratory infectious diseases caused by viruses. They are highly contagious, and respiratory droplets are the main route of transmission. Measles and rubella are common infectious diseases in spring, and children are especially susceptible. The differences between measles and rubella are summarized as follows:

The incubation period of measles is generally 10 to 14 days. The main symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, tearing, small white spots on the cheeks, and maculopapular rashes on the face and body. Rash period: The rash begins around the 4th day and lasts for 3 to 5 days. From the hairline behind the ears, gradually extend to the forehead, face, neck, trunk and limbs. The rash disappears in about 1 to 2 weeks, leaving some pigmentation. Most people gain lifelong immunity after contracting the disease. If not treated in time, it may cause pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis, etc., endangering the life of children. It is more common in infants and young children aged 6 months to 5 years.

It takes about 10 to 21 days from contact infection to the onset of symptoms of rubella. Patients often have upper respiratory tract symptoms such as low-grade or moderate fever, mild cough, fatigue, poor appetite and red eyes. The rash usually appears 1 to 2 days after the fever, spreads throughout the body within 24 hours, and there is usually no pigmentation when the rash subsides. During the rash period, the body temperature will no longer rise and the patient should eat and drink as usual. Because both diseases are highly contagious, once they occur, the patient should be isolated in time to prevent the spread.

Above we introduced what measles is and what rubella is. We also introduced the causes of measles and rubella, and we distinguished rubella from measles in several aspects. After the detailed introduction above, it will be easy to distinguish between rubella and measles when you encounter them.