Difference Between German Measles and German Measles

Normal measles and German measles at a glance have similar initial symptoms. Both cause fever and rashes on the skin. However, these two diseases actually have several different symptoms. The impact on health is not the same.

Regular measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella) are caused by two different viruses. However, both viruses both breed in the throat and nose of humans.

Difference Between German Measles and German Measles

When a person coughs or sneezes, splashes of saliva coming out of the airways will be inhaled by other people and spread the virus. These viruses will then undergo an incubation period of several days before finally causing symptoms.

Symptoms of Ordinary Measles or Rubeola

Measles symptoms usually appear 8-12 days after the patient is exposed to the rubeola virus. In general, the symptoms of measles can be divided into two stages, namely the stages before and after the appearance of skin rashes. Symptoms that can occur before a skin rash appear include:

  • High fever until body temperature reaches 40-41 0 C
  • Cough and sore throat
  • Colds
  • Watery and reddish eyes
  • Tired, lethargic, and decreased appetite

Usually, 2-4 days after the initial symptoms appear, a red rash will appear on the skin that starts from the face, then spreads to the body, arms, and legs. The rash initially only in the form of small spots. However, as the numbers increase, the rashes can coalesce until the size appears larger.

This rash can last for 5-7 days and does not cause pain or itching. At this stage, the sufferer may also have Koplik's spot, which is a grayish-white spot on the inside of the cheek.

Symptoms of German Measles or Rubella

Symptoms of German measles usually appear 16-18 days after exposure to rubella virus. A few days before the appearance of the rash on the skin, some people may experience symptoms of mild fever (less than 39 0 C), fatigue, lethargy, and reddish-looking eyes.

However, these symptoms are usually not very clear and sometimes are not felt. Symptoms that are often experienced by German measles sufferers include:

  • Rash on the skin that starts from the face, then spreads to the body. The rash does not cause pain or itching and can last for 1-3 days.
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or behind the ears.
  • Joint pain in the hands, wrists and knees for 3-10 days.

Differences in Ordinary Measles and German Measles

When examined further, there are some differences between ordinary measles and German measles, both in terms of symptoms and their impact on health, namely:

  • Measles usually has more severe initial symptoms, such as high fever, sore throat, runny nose, and red eyes. While German measles has initial symptoms that are usually very mild and are often not detected.
  • Common measles rash can last for 5-7 days, while German measles rash only lasts for 1-3 days.
  • German measles is usually accompanied by swollen lymph nodes and joint pain. However, this does not occur with ordinary measles.
  • Regular measles can cause more serious illness in people with weak immune systems, such as children, sufferers of malnutrition and HIV/ AIDS, and chemotherapy patients. Some complications that may occur are ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and encephalitis.
  • German measles is generally harmless, both to children and adults. However, pregnant women infected with the rubella virus can transmit the virus to their fetuses. At this rate, the risk of miscarriage will increase. The fetus is also at risk of birth defects, congenital heart disease, deafness, cataracts, or autism.

In general, ordinary measles is more severe than German measles because it can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. However, even German measles cannot be underestimated, because it can harm the fetus if it is experienced by pregnant women.

If you experience normal measles or German measles, you need to increase your fluid intake, get enough rest, and see a doctor immediately.

For those of you who have never experienced measles or German measles, there are currently measles and rubella vaccines available that can be used to prevent both of these diseases. Consult with your doctor to get the vaccine so that you avoid the virus that causes measles.

Written by:

Irene Cindy Sunur

Label : Health cat_Health

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