Ordinary measles and German measles at first glance have similar initial symptoms. Both of them cause fever and rash on the skin. However, these two diseases actually have several different symptoms. The impact on health is not the same.
Common measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella) are caused by two different viruses. However, these two viruses both reproduce in the throat and nose of humans.
When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the splashes of saliva that come out of the respiratory tract will be inhaled by others and spread the virus. These viruses will then undergo an incubation period of several days before finally causing symptoms.
Symptoms of Common Measles or Rubeola
Symptoms of measles 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 stage before and after the appearance of the skin rash. Symptoms that can occur before a skin rash appears include:
- High fever until body temperature reaches 40-410C
- Cough and sore throat
- Have a cold
- Watery eyes and looks red
- Tired, lethargic, and decreased appetite
Usually, 2-4 days after the initial symptoms appear, a red rash will appear on the skin that starts on the face, then spreads to the body, arms, and legs. Initially, the rash is just a small spot. However, as the number increases, the rashes can merge together until they appear larger in size.
This rash can last for 5-7 days and is not painful or itchy. At this stage, the patient 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 the patient is exposed to the rubella virus. A few days before the appearance of the rash on the skin, some people may experience symptoms such as a low-grade fever (less than 390C), fatigue, lethargy, and red eyes.
However, these symptoms are usually not very obvious and sometimes not felt. Symptoms that are often experienced by German measles sufferers include:
- The appearance of a rash on the skin that starts on the face, then spreads to the body. The rash is not painful or itchy 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.
Difference Between Common Measles and German Measles
If you look further, there are several 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. Meanwhile, German measles has early symptoms that are usually very mild and often go undetected.
- The rash in ordinary measles can last for 5-7 days, while the rash in German measles only lasts for 1-3 days.
- German measles is usually accompanied by swollen lymph nodes and joint pain. However, this is not the case with ordinary measles.
- Ordinary measles can cause more serious illness in people with weak immune systems, such as children, people with malnutrition and HIV/AIDS, and chemotherapy patients. Some of the complications that may occur are ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and encephalitis.
- German measles is generally harmless, in both children and adults. However, pregnant women who are infected with the rubella virus can transmit this virus to their fetuses. If this is the case, the risk of miscarriage will increase. The fetus is also at risk for 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, German measles cannot be underestimated, because it can harm the fetus if it is experienced by pregnant women.
If you have regular 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 ordinary measles or German measles, currently available measles and rubella vaccines that can be used to prevent these two diseases. Consult a doctor to get the vaccine so that you avoid being attacked by the virus that causes measles.
Written by:
Irene Cindy Sunur