What Is The Difference Between Measles And Rubella?

Posted on Mon, 28 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 Answered on

Tue, 19 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : What Is the diference : Measles/Rubella?

What are hard measles and baby measles?

Languaged used when I was raising children.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please refer to the following suggestions...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Difference = Measles is a viral disease caused by rubeola; whilst rubella is also a viral disease caused by another virus of different group than rubeola.

They might have the same clinic (especially when it comes to rash), that's why the confirmation is done through lab tests.

- Hard measles = is caused by rubeola virus, also known as red measles; patients can recover with no problems left; but sometimes encephalitis occur.

- Baby measles = is caused by rubella virus, we also call it "German measles" or "3-day-measles". Although milder than hard measles, it might lead to birth defects when the mum who is infected and pregnant passes the virus to the "unborn" baby.

Hope this helped!

Dr. Klerida

p.s do not hesitate to contact me if you have other concerns.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D