Chickenpox and rubella in babies have several things in common. They are both very contagious and cause small pimples to appear all over the body. However, these are two very distinct diseases, which it is important to know how to differentiate.
1. What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Its main symptom is the appearance of small pink or red spots, which then turn into blisters filled with a transparent substance. These spots are usually very itchy. It is a very common disease among children. As the Public Health France website specifies, “ each year, nearly 700,000 cases of chickenpox are diagnosed, particularly in children under 10 years old. “. This is a seasonal disease, so there is a greater chance of getting chickenpox in a baby in March-April or June-July. It is easily transmitted through the air, via infected droplets emitted by sick people. Chickenpox can also be transmitted by direct contact, with the spots that characterize it.
2. What is rubella?
Rubella is a disease caused by the rubivirus. It causes red spots that usually appear first on the face, then spread to the chest, eventually appearing all over the body. Rubella is a disease that is very contagious. Like chickenpox, rubella is spread through respiratory droplets when a person coughs, sneezes or talks. A child suffering from rubella is contagious during the week before and the week after the rash breaks out on the skin.
3. What are the differences between chickenpox and rubella in babies?
The first big difference between chickenpox and rubella in babies is the spots. Chickenpox causes pimples which are initially small pink spots of 3 mm maximum, which then become larger and fill with clear liquid. The pimples caused by rubella take the form of small pink spots which do not change, and disappear after two or three days. You can also differentiate chickenpox from rubella in a baby by looking at other symptoms. Pimples linked to chickenpox are often accompanied by severe itching, which is not the case for rubella. In addition, rubella can cause nausea and moderate conjunctivitis, signs that are not found in chickenpox.
4. Chickenpox and rubella: different issues
Both chickenpox and rubella are illnesses that are generally benign and can be treated well. Vaccination against rubella is, however, compulsory in France for all babies born from January 1, 2018, as indicated by Vaccination Info Service on its website. This vaccine aims to reduce the circulation of the virus in the population, because rubella is a disease that can cause significant complications when a pregnant woman contracts it and transmits it to her fetus. We then speak of a baby suffering from congenital rubella syndrome. As the World Health Organization (WHO) states, “the most common consequences of congenital rubella syndrome are hearing impairment and deafness, ocular abnormalities (cataract, congenital glaucoma or pigmentary retinopathy) and heart defects” . There is a vaccine against chickenpox, but it is not yet routinely recommended for babies.
5. Appearance of spots in babies: what to do?
Both chickenpox and rubella are diseases that heal on their own after a few days to a few weeks. These viral diseases therefore do not require taking antibiotics. When a baby begins to have symptoms reminiscent of chickenpox or rubella, it is important to quickly consult a healthcare professional to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The doctor can in fact prescribe the administration of antipyretic drugs (paracetamol only) to control the fever if it is high. He can also give advice on relieving itching and preventing skin lesions from becoming infected.
6. Rubella and chickenpox in babies: how to prevent these diseases?
Both rubella and chickenpox are common diseases among young children. However, it is possible to take some preventive measures to avoid contamination:
- Vaccinate your baby from the age of 12 months, particularly for rubella.
- Avoid being in contact with people suffering from rubella or chickenpox.
- Wash your hands very regularly.
Sources
- Chickenpox, Public Health France, June 17, 2019
- Congenital rubella syndrome, World Health Organization (WHO), September 4, 2018
- Rubella, Vaccination Info Service, September 26, 2023