Rubella infection, also popularly known as German measles or three-day measles, is caused by the rubella virus and is very different from the virus that causes measles. It causes the appearance of mild rash as compared to the long-lasting inflammation in the case of measles.
Rubella is a mild disease in children that affects the skin and the lymph nodes. The condition is highly contagious and spreads quickly when a person breathes infected droplets in the air or contacts an infected person. In addition, a pregnant woman can easily pass the virus to her unborn child, which can cause congenital disabilities or miscarriage.
In earlier days, the condition appeared in children aged 5 to 9 until the vaccine against rubella became available. Currently, more cases of a rubella infection are seen to occur in non-immunized adults and less in kids.
Symptoms
When the person is infected, the virus invades throughout the body cells in 5 to 7 days, and the symptoms appear after two weeks of exposure. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease are different in different age populations.
In children, the condition is mild and causes red or pink rashes, which last for three days and spread all over the body. Swollen glands behind the neck are a prominent sign of the infection occurring in children.
In adults, women may develop arthritis and joint pain. Moreover, pregnant women infected with the rubella virus can pass it to the foetus, which can cause death or congenital rubella syndrome in creating babies.
Other symptoms experienced due to this disease are-
Headache and dizziness
Redness in eyes
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Fever and sore throat
Cough and runny nose
Causes And Risk Factors
Causes
Rubella is contagious and is caused by a virus called rubivirus. The following are the causes of the infection:
It can spread quickly from one person to another through droplets when the infected person sneezes or coughs.
It can transmit from a pregnant mother who has been infected with the virus to her unborn child.
The rubella virus affects adults due to a lack of immunization and may result in an outbreak.
Risk Factors
A person who has not been vaccinated against the rubella virus or has not been previously infected is at higher risk for developing the infection.
Other risk factors that contribute to the infection are-
People who are coming from areas where vaccination against rubella hasn't taken place.
People working with and around children
Healthcare workers
Unborn babies who contract the virus from their mothers have low immunity against the virus
Contact of a pregnant woman with an infected person
Prevention
Vaccination against the rubella virus plays a primary role in the prevention of the rubella virus. Besides, it helps control the spread of the virus and prevent any further complications.
Although, it is recommended that pregnant women should not take the vaccine against the rubella virus.
Other ways to prevent the spread of rubella:
Avoid sending children to school for a week after onset of rash
Children who contract rubella from their mother are considered contagious for one year after their birth
It is important to be alert if your children’s contacts have been vaccinated
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of rubella infections includes-
Virus detection is done with the help of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing using the throat, nasal or urine specimens.
The presence of rubella-specific antibodies can be detected using enzymes such as immunoassay.
In pregnant women, blood tests help to identify antibodies against the rubella virus. Positive tests results indicate that the woman is likely to be immune, whereas further diagnostic tests need to be done if the test results are negative.
RT-PCR test helps in the detection of specific antibodies, which allows identifying congenital rubella infection.
Treatment
Treatment options against the rubella virus include-
In a woman with arthritis or joint pain, medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce symptoms and improve the condition.
In pregnant women, infection depends on the stage of pregnancy at the onset of the disease. If the condition occurs before four months of pregnancy, the unborn child is at high risk of developing the rubella virus. If the infection occurs after four months, the incubation can be continued with proper management and guidance of the doctor.
Rubella is mild in children, and treatment management involves monitoring fever with acetaminophen.
Lifestyle/management
One can treat rubella infection on its own over time and supportive therapy without medications.
Antibiotic therapy does not work against the rubella virus.
Other lifestyles measures to ease the infection-
Bed rest provides relief to mild symptoms
Plenty of fluids
Self-isolation is vital to prevent spreading the disease among others in the family and outside.
Prognosis And Complications
Prognosis
The prognosis in children with congenital rubella syndrome is less likely and depends on the number of organs affected. There is a mortality risk in infants, which is associated with several other complications. Rubella occurring after childbirth is usually mild and can be treated quickly without further complications.
In adults, appropriate treatment measures and early immunization can help in the treatment course of the disease. A woman must get vaccinated before pregnancy to avoid the infection.
Complications
When a pregnant woman is infected with the rubella virus, it can lead to severe consequences. These include miscarriages, premature birth or abnormal birth effects.
The virus is transmitted from the mother to the unborn child, who can develop congenital rubella syndrome. Complications that arise in babies are given as-.
Rubella (German Measles, Three-day Measles), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rubella/hcp.html Accessed on May 24, 2021
Camejo Leonor M, Mendez MD. Rubella. [Updated 2020 Oct 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559040/
Camejo Leonor M, Mendez MD. Rubella. [Updated 2020 Oct 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559040/
Rubella (German Measles, Three-day Measles), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rubella/hcp.html Accessed on May 24, 2021
A state-wide vaccination drive has been launched by the the Maharashtra Government to protect children from measles and rubella. It will be administered free of cost in public-run hospitals.
A state-wide vaccination drive has been launched by the the Maharashtra Government to protect children from measles and rubella. It will be administered free of cost in public-run hospitals.
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