Measles vs Rubella
Measles and Rubella are easy to mix up on the boards. Here's a side-by-side comparison — presentation, workup, imaging, and first-line treatment — drawn from our full outlines.
Measles vs Rubella at a glance
- Measles: Highly contagious paramyxovirus with prodromal cough/coryza/conjunctivitis and Koplik spots, followed by cephalocaudal maculopapular rash; vaccine-preventable.
- Rubella: Mild togavirus rash illness in children and adults but devastating to the fetus when contracted in the first trimester (congenital rubella syndrome).
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Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Measles | Rubella |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | Highly contagious paramyxovirus with prodromal cough/coryza/conjunctivitis and Koplik spots, followed by cephalocaudal maculopapular rash; vaccine-preventable. | Mild togavirus rash illness in children and adults but devastating to the fetus when contracted in the first trimester (congenital rubella syndrome). |
| Classic presentation | Three Cs + Koplik spots + cephalocaudal rash in an unvaccinated child.; Prodrome (3-5 days): high fever (often 40 °C), cough, coryza, conjunctivitis (the… | Mild pink rash with posterior auricular and suboccipital adenopathy in a postpubertal woman with new joint pain.; Prodrome (often absent in children):… |
| Workup / key labs | Clinical case definition (fever, generalized maculopapular rash ≥3 days, plus cough/coryza/conjunctivitis) confirmed by IgM positive or RT-PCR positive.;… | Clinical syndrome plus positive IgM or RT-PCR. Congenital rubella: positive viral isolation, RT-PCR, or persistent rubella-specific IgG beyond expected… |
| Imaging | Chest x-ray if pneumonia suspected | Fetal ultrasound for suspected congenital rubella with growth restriction, microcephaly, cardiac defects; Postnatal echocardiography in infants with suspected… |
| First-line treatment | Supportive care: antipyretics, hydration, isolation (airborne precautions for 4 days after rash onset); Vitamin A: 200,000 IU PO on days 1 and 2 (50,000 IU if… | Supportive: antipyretics, NSAIDs for arthralgia; Droplet precautions for 7 days after rash onset; MMR vaccine (live, 2-dose schedule) — first dose 12-15… |
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