Rubella (German measles)

Rubella (German measles)


About rubella
Rubella - commonly known as German measles or 3-day measles - is an infection that affects mainly the skin and lymph
Node. It is the rubella virus (not the same virus, measles caused), typically caused by the transmitted
Droplets from the nose or throat that others breathe in. It can also pass through a pregnant woman's bloodstream to
infect her unborn child.

It is usually a mild illness in children, the primary medical danger of rubella is the infection of pregnant women
because it can cause congenital rubella syndrome in developing babies.

Before a vaccine against rubella became available in 1969, rubella epidemics occurred every 6-9 years, mostly under
Children 5 to 9 years old. Many cases of congenital rubella occurred as well. Thanks to immunization, there are far fewer
Cases of rubella and congenital rubella.

Most rubella today appear in young, non-immunized adults rather than in children. In fact, experts estimate that
10% of young adults are currently susceptible to rubella, which could pose a danger to children they might have someday.

Signs and symptoms
Rubella infection can be with 1-2 days of mild fever (99-100 ° F, 37.2 to 37.8 ° C) and swollen, tender lymph nodes begin
usually in the back of the neck or behind the ears. A rash starts on the face and then spreads downward. As it spreads,
it usually clears on the face. The rash is often the first indication of disease noticed that one of the parents.

The rubella rash can look like many other viral rashes. It appears as either pink or light red spots, which may merge
form evenly colored patches. The rash can itch and lasts up to 3 days. As the rash clears, the affected skin occasionally
Sheds in very fine flakes.

Other symptoms of rubella (these are more common in adolescents and adults) can include headache, loss of appetite, mild
Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eyelids and eyeballs), a stuffy or runny nose, swollen lymph nodes in
other parts of the body, and pain and swelling in the joints (especially in young women). Many people with rubella
few or no symptoms.

Rubella in a pregnant woman can be congenital rubella syndrome, with potentially devastating consequences for the
developing fetus. Children who are infected with rubella before birth are at risk for growth retardation, mental
Retardation, malformations of the heart and eyes, deafness, and liver, spleen and bone marrow problems.

Contagiousness
The rubella virus passes from person to person through tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat. People who have
Rubella is highly contagious to 1 week before the rash appears after 1 week. Someone who is infected but has no
Symptoms can still spread the virus.

Infants who have congenital rubella syndrome throw the virus in urine and fluid from the nose and throat for a year or
more and can pass to people who have not been immunized the virus.

Prevention
Rubella can be prevented by the rubella vaccine. Widespread immunization against rubella is critical for the control of
Spread of the disease, thereby preventing birth defects caused by rubella syndrome.

The vaccine is usually administered to children at 12-15 months as part of the planned measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
Immunization. A second dose of MMR is generally administered at 4-6 years. As with the previous immunization
Schedules, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. For example, if your child will be traveling outside
the United States, the vaccine can be given as early as 6 months of age. Talk with your child's doctor to see if the
Vaccine is required.

The rubella vaccine should not be given to pregnant women or women who may become pregnant within 1 month
receive the vaccine. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, make sure that you're immune to rubella by a
Blood test or proof of immunization. If you are not immune, you should receive the vaccine at least 1 month before
to become pregnant.

Pregnant women who are not immune should be someone who has the disease and should be vaccinated after delivery, thus avoiding
they are immune during any future pregnancies.

Incubation
The incubation period for rubella is 14-23 days, with an average incubation period of 16-18 days. This means that there
takes 2-3 weeks for a child to get measles after being exposed to someone with the disease.

Time
The rubella rash usually lasts three days. Lymph nodes may remain swollen for a week or longer and joint pain can last
more than 2 weeks. Children who have rubella usually recover within 1 week, but adults may take longer.

Treatment
Rubella can not be treated with antibiotics because they do not work against viral infections. Unless there are
Complications will resolve themselves rubella.

Every pregnant woman who was exposed to rubella should contact her obstetrician immediately.

Rubella is usually mild in children, which can often be cared for at home. Monitor your child's temperature and call the
Doctor if the fever rises too high.

To relieve minor discomfort, you can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not give aspirin to a child with a
been, because this use brought viral disease with the development of Reye's syndrome, which can lead to liver failure associated
and death.

When to call the doctor
Call the doctor if your child develops a fever of 102 ° F (38.9 ° C) or above (in a child younger than 6 months, for a call
Fever above 100.4 ° F or 38 ° C), or if your child seems to be sicker than the mild course of the symptoms described
above.