Difference Between German Measles and Measles

What is German Measles (Rubella) and Measles (Rubeola)?

Rubella (German Measles) is not the same as Measles (rubeola), though the 2 illnesses do share some similar characteristics, including the red rash. However, rubella (German Measles) is caused by a different virus than measles (rubeola), and is neither as severe nor usually as infectious as rubeola (measles).

Both Measles and German measles are caused by an RNA virus. Both of the conditions have similar symptoms and are spread through respiratory droplets of sick people. However, the rashes in both the conditions are different. Vaccination for both the conditions are available with an MMR vaccine.

What is German Measles (Rubella)?

Rubella is a contagious viral infection and is best identified by its distinctive red rash. The infection is however preventable by vaccination. It is a serious medical disease in pregnant women as it can result in congenital rubella syndrome in the foetus.

Congenital rubella syndrome causes disruption in the development and growth of the baby in the womb and also can result in heart abnormalities, brain damage and deafness. It is therefore very important to get German measles treated in case you are pregnant and you suspect it. Apart from rash, other symptoms that people with German measles show include swollen lymph nodes and fever. The infection spreads through droplets from the infected person’s cough or sneeze. 

This means that you can get Rubella if you touch your eyes, mouth, or nose, after touching any surface that has droplets from a person who is infected with Rubella. Rubella is also spread by sharing drinks and food with someone who has it.

Rubella is a mild infection and vanishes within 1 week, even if it is not treated. However, it sometimes become a serious medical condition in pregnant women. German measles is typically a mild infection that goes away within one week.

What is Measles (Rubeola)?

The Rubeola (measles) virus inhabits the mucus of your throat and nose. It is highly contagious and spreads through direct exposure with the person who has it and through the air. The virus stays active and thrives and survives on surfaces in the atmosphere for up to two hours 

You have ninety percent of getting it if you have not taken the vaccine and are in a closed room with the affected person. Measles is really dangerous and as in severe cases, it causes an infection of brain (encephalitis), severe diarrhoea, ear infection, severe infection of respiratory system knows as pneumonia and even dehydration.

Difference between German Measles (Rubella) and Measles (Rubeola)

Description

German Measles (Rubella)

Rubella (German Measles) is a viral illness that causes joint pain and a skin rash. It mostly affects small children and is a mild disease. However, if it occurs during pregnancy, it can become fatal for an unborn baby, such as blindness, brain damage, deafness, and heart defects.

Measles (Rubeola)

Rubeola (measles), also called 10-day measles is a viral infection that is really serious for small Kids but is easily preventable by a vaccine. It is a viral illness that causes a viral exanthem. Viral exanthem is another term for a skin eruption or a rash. Measles has a distinct rash that serves useful to aid in the diagnosis. The infection grows in the cells lining the lungs and the throat.  It is highly contagious and some of the symptoms include fever, runny nose, red eyes, cough, and a spreading skin.

Rashes

German Measles (Rubella)

Rashes in Rubella are spots that fade very fast. The rubella virus is the main cause for “German measles,” also known as “Three-day measles.” This is basically a milder disease than red measles. 

Measles (Rubeola)

Rashes in Rubeola are blotches with spots. The rubeola virus causes “red measles,” also termed as “hard measles” or just “measles.”

Duration of symptoms

German Measles (Rubella)

Symptoms can last up to 5 days

Measles (Rubeola)

Symptoms can last up to 10 days

Period of incubation

German Measles (Rubella)

Symptoms can last up to five days

Measles (Rubeola)

Symptoms can last up to 10 days

Symptoms

German Measles (Rubella)

• Enlarged and tender neck lymph nodes
• Prolonged Headache
• Eye redness
• Ear ache
• Aching joints
• A stuffy or runny nose
• Nerve inflammation
• Mild fever, usually under 102°F
• Red rashes

Measles (Rubeola)

• Pain in the muscles
• Fever
• Malaise
• Fatigue, or loss of appetite
• Runny nose or sneezing
• Diarrhoea
• Dry cough
• Pink eye
• Headache
• Sensitivity to light
• Koplik’s spots (tiny white spots with bluish-white centers)
• Sore throat, or swollen lymph nodes

Complications

German Measles (Rubella)

Complications of Rubella include:

• Post infectious thrombocytopenia
• Myocarditis
• Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) (a rapid-onset muscle weakness)
• Orchitis
• Neuritis
• Purpura

Measles (Rubeola)

Complications of measles include:

• Diarrhoea
• Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
• Bronchitis
• Bacteraemia, Cellulitis and Toxic shock syndrome
• Laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box)
• Pregnancy problems (high maternal morbidity, foetal wastage, still-births, and congenital malformations)
• Ear infection
• Pneumonia
• Croup (inflammation of the airway)

Prodromal stage

German Measles (Rubella)

Prodromal stage is absent in German Measles (Rubella)

Measles (Rubeola)

Prodromal stage is present in Measles (Rubeola)

 Swelling in Lymph nodes

German Measles (Rubella)

In Rubella, lymph nodes are always swollen

Measles (Rubeola)

In measles, lymph nodes are not always swollen

Summary of Difference between German Measles and Measles

The points of difference between German Measles (Rubella) and Measles (Rubeola) have been summarized as below in a tabular form.

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