Rubella and chickenpox are two common childhood illnesses, but many parents are unsure of their differences. There is confusion between the two because they are both highly contagious and are known to cause rashes. There are some significant variations, though, that all parents need to be aware of.
It is possible to guarantee that children receive the right care and attention by being aware of these distinctions. Despite their initial similarities, chickenpox and rubella are not the same in terms of their causes, symptoms, or risks. It’s critical to know what to anticipate from each illness in order to keep kids healthy.
This article aims to clarify the distinctions between chickenpox and rubella by examining their similarities and differences.
| Criteria | Chickenpox | Rubella |
| Causing Virus | Varicella-zoster virus | Rubella virus |
| Main Symptoms | Itchy rash, blisters, fever | Red rash, mild fever, swollen lymph nodes |
| Contagiousness | Highly contagious | Moderately contagious |
| Vaccine Availability | Yes | Yes |
| Common in Children | Yes | Yes |
| Risk in Pregnancy | Yes, but less severe | Yes, can cause birth defects |
Although they are both viral infections that cause rashes, chickenpox and rubella are not the same. While rubella, also caused by the rubella virus, is typically milder and poses a serious risk to pregnant women due to potential birth defects, chickenpox, which is more common in children and results in an itchy, blister-like rash, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Recognizing the variations facilitates the identification of symptoms and the determination of when medical intervention is required.
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Similar signs
Rubella and chickenpox, also known as chickenpox, are entirely distinct illnesses because they are caused by different pathogens and present with dissimilar clinical manifestations. But they also share a few characteristics:
- Both rubella and chickenpox are viral infections, often encountered in childhood. They are diagnosed mainly in children under 10 years of age.
- The main route of transmission of both diseases is airborne. Also, both pathogens can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to the fetus.
- Both the rubella virus and the chickenpox pathogen are characterized by low resistance to external factors such as ultraviolet, high temperature, treatment with disinfectant solutions.
- Most sick children have mild cases of both rubella and chickenpox, but there are also severe cases with serious complications, as well as latent forms.
- Both chickenpox and rubella occur with fever and skin rash. Both diseases are characterized by complaints of weakness, headaches, lethargy, poor appetite, and poor sleep.
- Both diseases leave behind immunity that lasts for the rest of life.
- Both of these infections pose a danger to the fetus, especially if the expectant mother is infected in the first trimester, when the baby"s body is just forming (in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy).
- In most cases, such diseases are treated symptomatically, for example, by lowering body temperature with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- If the mother has had any of these infections or has been vaccinated against it, the baby will receive immunity during the first six months of life thanks to maternal antibodies.
We suggest watching this video of Dr. Komarovsky’s chickenpox program:
Differences between chickenpox and rubella
There are numerous distinctions between rubella and chickenpox:
Chickenpox
Rubella
One of the herpes group viruses, the DNA-containing Varicella Zoster virus, is the causal agent.
The RNA-containing Rubella virus is the causal agent, one of the togaviruses.
The final day of the incubation period marks the start of the contagious period, which lasts for five days after the last skin blisters appear.
A week prior to the rash’s onset and two weeks following the disease’s start is when the contagious period lasts.
Incubation periods range from 7 to 21 days, with an average of 2 weeks for children.
The incubation phase lasts three weeks on average, but can extend up to 24 days.
A sick child’s body temperature frequently rises to elevated levels.
Most of the time, the temperature rises moderately.
Along with the fever, the rash appears on the first day of clinical symptoms.
Two days after the onset of the illness’s symptoms, the rash appears.
The rash’s components progressively change; initially, they resemble spots, then they develop into papules, and finally, they become highly itchy single-chambered vesicles.
The rash appears as up to 3 mm oval, pink, non-itching spots.
The body has spots first, followed by areas of the head and limbs.
The rash’s initial symptoms initially show up on the face before swiftly "sink" lower and spread to other body parts.
New rashes may emerge in the vicinity of some vesicles as they start to heal and form a crust in a matter of two to nine days.
The rash lasts for two to four days. There are no new elements, all of the spots vanish, and there is no pigmentation or peeling left behind.
It is possible for blistering rash to develop on mucosal surfaces, like the mouth.
The mucous membranes are not affected by the rash.
Infection can be avoided by treating the rash.
You can choose not to treat the rash.
Rash scratches leave scars behind.
The entire rash vanishes into thin air.
There are hardly any symptoms of catarrhal infection.
The child starts to get runny nose and sore throat.
There may be an increase in cervical lymph nodes.
Every lymph node is swollen.
While the symptoms of chickenpox and rubella may be somewhat similar, they are two separate illnesses brought on by different viruses. Although they both produce rashes, there are important differences in how they spread and the risks they pose, particularly during pregnancy.
It’s critical to understand the distinctions between rubella and chickenpox in order to properly diagnose and treat cases. Keeping up with vaccinations is essential to safeguarding your family and yourself because vaccines are essential in preventing both diseases.
It’s always a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider if you or your child exhibit symptoms of either illness in order to receive the proper treatment and prevent complications.
