Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Clinical features
See Congenital TORCH infections > Congenital rubella infection
| Characteristic | Rubella | Measles |
|---|---|---|
| Severity of Illness | Generally milder disease | More severe with higher complication rates |
| Rash Characteristics | Fine, pink maculopapular rash starting on face; lasts ~3 days | Erythematous maculopapular rash starting at hairline; more confluent; lasts 5-7 days |
| Prodromal Symptoms | Minimal; mild fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy | Prominent with high fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis (“3 Cs”) |
| Pathognomonic Signs | Posterior auricular and suboccipital lymphadenopathy | Koplik’s spots (white spots on buccal mucosa) |
| Congenital Effects | Significant risk of congenital rubella syndrome | No specific congenital syndrome; may cause pregnancy complications |
| Infectivity | Moderately contagious | Highly contagious (one of the most contagious diseases) |
| Complications | Rare in children; arthritis in adults; congenital defects | Pneumonia, encephalitis, SSPE, high mortality in malnourished children |
Diagnostics
