Many people think that chickenpox and rubella are the same thing. Common to diseases is that they are usually classified as childhood infections. It is among young patients that such diseases are more common, but adults, if they catch infections, then they are extremely difficult to tolerate. There is definitely a difference between chickenpox and rubella. And in order to prescribe an adequate treatment, it is necessary to make the correct diagnosis, because if you mix up these infections, the patient can face serious consequences.
Signs of measles rubella
In the ranking of childhood infections, rubella is among the leaders, giving way only to acute respiratory infections. Of course, it is a mistake to assume that chickenpox and rubella are one and the same thing, but they have one causal phenomenon. That is, diseases have the same nature - pathogenic microorganisms cause the disease.
Initially, it is extremely difficult to determine that the malaise is caused by the rubella virus. The disease resembles a common cold. At the first stage, the lymph nodes begin to increase sharply in a person, which become hard and cause pain when touched, the body temperature rises, a runny nose and a cough appear. The condition is sluggish, I constantly want to sleep. The disease can manifest itself only one of the above symptoms.
In the second stage, a symptom appears that will reject many other diagnosis options - this is a rash. According to small pink spots, the doctor determines the disease. Rashes spread through the body at high speed. Starting from the back, they gradually cover the legs, arms, bends of the elbows, popliteal parts. The spots do not itch or peel. In children, measles rubella passes without special consequences. All rashes go away, leaving no traces. But in any case, the child must be shown to the doctor. It is better not to engage in self-medication, even if the confidence in the diagnosis is one hundred percent.
Characteristics of rubella
The list of common childhood diseases includes rubella and chickenpox. The same disease, the same immunity. But in fact, the last statement is not entirely true. The cause of the disease is different pathogens, so the body produces different antibodies. And if rubella can be ill almost imperceptibly, then chickenpox is so easy to transfer. Since measles rubella has a number of typical symptoms characteristic of many diseases, the disease can easily be confused. Even doctors can not always immediately establish the diagnosis correctly. Because of this latent nature, until the beginning of the nineteenth century, doctors believed that chickenpox and rubella were one and the same. Even now, a blood test may be required to determine the cause of the ailment.
The incubation period for rubella virus is two to three weeks. At this time, a person can easily communicate with others, not even realizing what is dangerous for them. Rubella is transmitted by airborne droplets. The greatest risk of infection is present in the very first days when the nature of the disease has not yet been determined. Outbreaks of measles occur in the winter-spring period, when most people are weakened, lack of vitamins is felt, and there is the greatest susceptibility to infection.
Treatment for measles
Complex preparations for the treatment of this infection are rarely prescribed, as a rule, only in severe cases. In general, therapy is symptomatic. The rash, which is characteristic of this infection, does not need to be processed and disappears on its own.
Even if rubella does not cause much concern, then you still should not contact other people. There is a risk of infection not only in children, but also in adults who carry the disease much more difficult.
Rubella Prevention
Many people were diagnosed with chickenpox and rubella in childhood. This is one and the same condition that is caused by different microorganisms. For some patient groups, both of these infections are particularly dangerous. As a rule, these are pregnant women, when the disease can cause serious harm to the fetus. Rubella vaccination is part of the vaccination schedule in many countries. When planning a pregnancy, it is worth remembering whether a measles rubella vaccine was given in childhood. A child is given a vaccine against this infection along with measles and mumps drugs. This vaccine is given twice in a lifetime - a year, and then at the age of six.
Characteristics of chickenpox
Many argue that measles rubella and chickenpox are one and the same thing, since they can be ill only once. Not only are these completely different diseases, there are also cases when the immunity against such infections is not fully developed, and a person becomes infected again.
Chickenpox is not a serious danger. The task of parents is to provide the child with the most comfortable conditions for a quick recovery. Mostly chickenpox from the age of three to ten years. But if a person did not catch chickenpox in childhood, then it can well transfer it as an adult. This is entirely possible, since the virus is very contagious and can penetrate floors and walls. Due to its volatility, the infection is called chicken pox.
Signs of chickenpox
The incubation period of the infection is one to two weeks. After that, the body temperature rises sharply (up to thirty-nine degrees). The patient has no appetite, characterized by general malaise and weakness. After a couple of days, a rash is added to the symptoms.
To determine the difference between chickenpox and rubella, it is possible by the nature of the spots. In the first case, pinkish rashes first appear, in which then liquid begins to accumulate, and bubbles form. After a while they dry up. A feature of the rash with chickenpox is that it itches. But due to the repeated disruption of dried bubbles, scars and scars form that do not pass. The rash quickly covers the whole body, and dried bubbles are replaced by new spots. That is, the rash cycle is repeated. After the cessation of the formation of new spots, the general condition improves, and the patient is recovering.
Chicken pox treatment
Treatment of chickenpox, like rubella, is aimed at eliminating the symptoms. The doctor prescribes those funds that will help eliminate headaches, itching, and reduce fever. In the early days of the disease, bed rest is recommended. Nutrition should be as light as possible, heavy drinking is recommended. Sheets and clothes are changed as often as possible. It is allowed to take a shower or bath once a day, rubbing the skin with a washcloth is not allowed, the water temperature should not be more than thirty-seven degrees.
The skin can not be combed so as not to infect and not leave scars. For this, the vesicles are treated with brilliant green or Fucorcin. If itching causes discomfort, then the doctor prescribes antihistamines, antiallergic drugs.
Key differences in infections
Many people confuse infections like chickenpox and rubella. The differences are as follows:
- the rash with chickenpox is extensive, with rubella, the mucous membranes are not affected by spots;
- rubella has more common symptoms of a cold - cough, sore throat;
- chickenpox is not complicated by arthritis;
- the temperature with measles rubella is much lower.
By quickly recognizing the characteristic signs of each infection, you can provide the most comfortable conditions in order to transfer the disease as easily as possible.