Rubella and rubeola — also known as German measles and measles, respectively — are both contagious viral infections that appear with fever and then a rash. The names and symptoms of these infections are similar, so it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. Both infections are most common in young children but can also occur in adults. Infections are less common now, thanks to vaccines developed in the 1960s. But they can still be dangerous, especially to infants and young children. In this article, you will learn how to tell the difference between these two viral illnesses, what each rash looks like, when to expect other symptoms, and how you can prevent and treat these infections. Both rubella and rubeola are viral infections. Rubella, also known as German measles, is an infection by the rubella virus. Rubeola, often referred to simply as measles, is an infection by a virus in the paramyxoviridae family. Both are highly contagious airborne viruses. That means they sprea