Let's talk infectious diseases, the reason for vaccines: ᴬʳᵉ ᵐᵉᵃˢˡᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵘᵇᵉˡˡᵃ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ?

𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙪𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚?

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: It would be easy to think that measles and rubella, also called German Measles, are the same disease. It would be easy to think that because of the name German Measles assigned to the disease rubella. And because measles is also known as rubeola. Really, how much more confusing can it get? 🤷‍♀️

While they do have some similarities, they have some pretty big differences.

Let's outline the similarities first:

▪️ Both diseases are caused by an RNA virus.

▪️ They have similar symptoms and are spread by respiratory droplets.

▪️ Rashes are a distinct marker of each disease.

And now the differences:

▪️ Even though both are caused by RNA viruses, it is two different families. Measles belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and Rubella belongs to the Matonaviridae family.

▪️ German measles are mild while measles cannot, and should not, be considered mild. German measles are not life-threatening while measles are.

▪️ Both the appearance and the length of the rashes differ.

▪️ Symptoms for measles lasts twice as long as rubella.

▪️ The virus that causes measles specifically invades the respiratory system while the virus that causes rubella invades lymph nodes, eyes, and skin.

▪️ Symptoms for measles are more severe and numerous.

{You can find all the sources I used by clicking here.}