Measles, Mumps and German Measles (Rubella) are three somewhat contagious diseases that can affect our bodies in similar ways. In general they cause redness and/or swelling of the skin, but can also have other complications, although the more fatal versions of these are quite rare.

Measles is a disease caused by the paramyxo virus, and is spread from human to human through respiration. It is highly contagious, so high in fact that 90% of people who are not immune to it will catch the disease if they live in the same house as someone with measles.

The symptoms of measles include a fever that lasts for 3 days at the least, coughing, conjunctivitis and a runny nose. However the most well-known symptom is a rash that begins several days after the fever begins. Beginning on and around the head, it then proceeds down the body.

There is no clinical treatment for measles, however there are several things you can do to help quicken its passing. If conjunctivitis occurs along with the disease, warm saline or water can be used to clear the eyes. Antipruritic medication can be used to inhibit itching of the rash, and a cool mist vaporiser or standard pharmacy cough medicine can be used to ease the cough. Along with these things, plenty of rest will go a long way to helping the infected person to recover quickly.

German measles, also known as Rubella, is a common childhood infection. If a pregnant mother is infected by the disease during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, her child could be born with congenital rubella syndrome. This leads to a several very serious incurable diseases. However in most other cases, the infection is quite insignificant. Rubella, much like measles, is spread through respiration; when someone coughs or sneezes.

The symptoms of Rubella include a rash that begins on the face, and spreads to the torso and limbs. It usually fades within three days. There are other symptoms, such as joint pains, conjunctivitis, headaches, fever and swollen glands. The only treatment for Rubella is the usage of paracetamol, which is used until the disease has run its course.

Mumps is a contagious viral disease which is transmitted through infected saliva, usually when someone coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted if you share eating utensils with an infected person.

The symptoms of mumps include swelling of the parotid glands underneath the jaw, fever, sore throat, headaches and occasionally orchitis, the inflammation of the testicle.

As with Rubella, the only treatment for Mumps is Paracetamol and other anti-inflammatory medicines. Aspirin should not be used in patients under the age of 20.

While there are almost no specific treatments for any of these diseases, they are not as much of an issue in the western world today. This is because a vaccination exists, named the MMR Vaccine (Measles Mumps Rubella Vaccine). Immediately after the invention of both the separate parts and the combined vaccine, the statistics of cases involving these diseases dropped dramatically. Nowadays, it is extremely rare to find anyone contracting one of these diseases, and when someone does, with the right medication and enough rest, the effects can be very limited.

Learn more about this author, Mike Saunders.
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