What is the Difference Between Measles and Rubella Rash

Measles and rubella rash are two main symptoms of measles and rubella infections. Measles and rubella are contagious viral diseases that more commonly occur in young children. Measles is caused by a virus called morbillivirus, while rubella is caused by a virus called Rubivirus rubella. Both conditions are characterized by skin rashes.

The key difference between measles and rubella rash is their appearance. Measles rash is a flat, red spot that appears on the face at the hairline and spreads downward to cover the whole body, while rubella rash is a fine, pink rash that begins on the face and quickly spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Measles Rash
3. What is Rubella Rash
4. Similarities – Measles and Rubella Rash
5. Measles vs Rubella Rash in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Measles vs Rubella Rash
7. FAQ – Measles and Rubella Rash

What is Measles Rash?

Measles rash is a main symptom that occurs after a measles infection. Measles rash usually appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. This rash normally begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. Later, this rash spreads downward to the neck, arms, trunk, legs, and feet. Small, raised bumps can also appear on top of the rash. The other symptoms that occur due to this infection include high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and koplik spots.

Figure 01: Measles Rash

Measles rash can be diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, and blood tests. There are no specific treatments for measles or measles rash. The complications can be prevented by taking fever-reducing NSAIDs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, drinking plenty of fluids to hydrate, and taking vitamin A.

What is Rubella Rash?

Rubella rash is a main symptom that occurs after rubella infection. This rash takes 2 to 3 weeks to appear after getting rubella. Rubella rash looks red or pink on the white skin. However, in brown skin, it can be harder to see and might feel rough or bumpy. There might also be lumps (swollen glands) in the neck or behind the ears. The other symptoms of this rubella infection include mild fever, headache, red, itchy eyes, runny nose, enlarged, tender lymph nodes at the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, and behind the ears, and aching joints.

Figure 02: Rubella Rash

Rubella rash can be diagnosed through physical examination and lab tests such as viral culture or blood tests. Furthermore, no treatment shortens the course of rubella infection, rubella rash, and other symptoms. However, symptoms may be relieved by taking over-the-counter medicines, like acetaminophen (Tylenol® or Panadol®) or cough and cold medicines.

Similarities Between Measles and Rubella Rash

1. Measles and rubella rash are symptoms of two different viral infections.
2. Both can be red in color and bumpy.
3. These rashes are more common in young children.
4. Both rashes can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests.
5. There is no specific treatment to reduce both rashes.
6. Both rashes can be prevented by taking the MMR vaccine.

Difference Between Measles and Rubella Rash

Definition

1. Measles rash is blotchy with red spots.
2. Rubella rash is a fine, light red, or pink rash that fades rapidly.

Causes

1. Measles rash is due to morbillivirus infection.
2. Rubella rash is due to Rubivirus rubella infection.

Severity

1. Measles rash is more severe and more infectious (highly contagious).
2. Rubella rash is less severe and less infectious (less contagious).

When It Appears

1. Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms.
2. Rubella rash takes 2 to 3 weeks to appear.

When It Clears Up

1. Measles rash may last about seven days.
2. Rubella rash may last about three days.

Accompanied by

1. Measles rash is accompanied by other symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and koplik spots.
2. Rubella rash is accompanied by other symptoms such as mild fever, headache, red, itchy eyes, runny nose, enlarged, tender lymph nodes at the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, and behind the ears, and aching joints.

Diagnosis

1. Measles rash can be diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, and blood tests.
2. Rubella rash can be diagnosed through physical examination and lab tests such as viral culture or blood tests.

Treatment

1. No treatment shortens the course of measles infection, measles rash, and other symptoms. However, symptoms may be relieved by taking fever-reducing NSAIDs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, drinking plenty of fluids to hydrate, and taking vitamin A.
2. No treatment shortens the course of rubella infection, rubella rash, and other symptoms. However, symptoms may be relieved by taking over-the-counter medicines, like acetaminophen or cough and cold medicines.

Prevention

1. Measles rash can be prevented by taking MMR vaccine and Priorix vaccine.
2. Rubella rash can be prevented by taking MR, MMR, and MMRV vaccines.

The following table summarizes the difference between measles and rubella rash.

Summary – Measles vs Rubella Rash

Measles and rubella are two viral illnesses that share some signs and symptoms, such as the red rash. However, rubella is caused by a virus different from measles. Measles and rubella rash are two prominent symptoms of the above viral infections. Measles rash is an irregular, flat, red spot that appears on the face at the hairline and behind the ears and then spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. On the other hand, rubella rash is a fine, pink, spotty rash that starts on the face or behind the ears and then spreads to the neck, trunk, and extremities. This is the key difference between measles and rubella rash.

FAQ: Measles and Rubella Rash

1. What are the main causes of measles?

• Measles is caused by a contagious virus called morbillivirus. Measles is an airborne disease, which means it spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks.

2. What is the prevention of measles?

• The best way to protect against measles is by taking the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine). MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Taking two doses of MMR vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles.

3. How long does a measles rash last?

• The measles rash appears around 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms and normally fades after about a week. This rash consists of small red-brown, flat, or slightly raised spots that may join together into larger blotchy patches.

4. What are the symptoms of rubella?

• The symptoms of rubella include spotty, fine, pink rash, low fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, pink eye, joint pain, generally feeling unwell or malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

5. What does a rubella rash look like?

• Rubella rash causes pink or light red spots, which may merge to form evenly colored patches. This rash can itch and lasts up to 3 days. As the rubella rash clears, the affected skin might shed in very fine flakes.

Reference:

1.“Rubella.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Measles Symptoms and Complications.” CDC.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Morbillivirus measles infection” (Public Domain) via Picryl

2. “10145 lores” By CDC – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

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