Rubella is a contagious viral infection known as German or three-day measles. Although the symptoms of Rubella are mild, it causes clear red rashes all over the body. On the other hand, this seemingly simple virus can be dangerous for babies. For this reason, we suggest you stay with us until the end of the article to learn more about Rubella and create safety against it.
Rubella or measles?
Rubella is not the same as measles; it is A different virus that causes it than measles, called RuV. Although both diseases share the same symptoms, such as a red rash, Rubella is less contagious or severe than measles. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective in preventing Rubella and can protect you from this disease throughout your life. In many countries, Rubella is rare or absent.
The cause of Rubella
There are several ways the rubella virus can be transmitted, including:
- Transmission of the virus through the sneeze or cough of an infected person to others;
- direct contact with the mucous membrane of the nose and throat infected with the virus;
- Transmission through the bloodstream of the pregnant mother to the fetus.
An infected with Rubella can infect others from one week before symptoms start to about one week after symptoms disappear. An infected person can transmit the virus before knowing of his illness.
Rubella is rare in many countries because children are vaccinated against the disease at a young age, but the virus is still active in some countries. For this reason, you should pay attention to this issue before traveling to some countries. Rubella virus can cause severe problems for the babies of mothers infected with this disease during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Rubella
The symptoms of Rubella, especially in children, are usually not easily recognized. These symptoms typically appear two to three weeks after contact with the virus and last 1 to 5 days. Symptoms of Rubella include:
- mild fever of 38.9 degrees and below;
- headache ;
- runny nose ;
- Redness and itching of the eyes;
- Enlargement and sensitivity of the lymph nodes on the bottom of the skull, back of the neck, and ears;
- Pink and clear pimples first appear on the face and quickly spread to the trunk, arms, and legs;
- Joint pain, especially in young women.
Rubella side effects
Rubella is a mild infection, but some women with Rubella develop inflammation of the fingers, wrists, and knees that last for about a month. In rare cases, Rubella can cause ear infections or brain inflammation. However, if you are infected with Rubella during pregnancy, the effect of the virus on the fetus can be severe and, in some cases, fatal and may lead to miscarriage. More than 90% of babies whose mothers were infected with Rubella in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy will be diagnosed with congenital rubella syndrome. This syndrome has one or more problems, including:
- delayed growth;
- Cataracts ;
- Deafness;
- bone disease;
- brain problems such as microcephaly;
- thyroid disease;
- enlargement of the liver and spleen;
- type 1 diabetes ;
- Heart development problems (congenital heart defects);
- development problems of other organs;
- Mental and learning issues.
The most significant risk for the fetus is in the first trimester of pregnancy, but catching rubella disease in the following months can be dangerous.
Time to see a doctor
If you or your child have been in contact with the rubella virus or if you notice symptoms, see a doctor immediately. These are among the symptoms of the disease:
- severe bleeding;
- abdominal pain;
- Fever;
- Shivering
Diagnosis of Rubella
Rubella is similar to other viral rashes; For this reason, the doctor usually diagnoses the disease by doing several tests. Virus culture, urine test, or blood test can detect the presence of different types of rubella antibodies in the blood. These antibodies show whether you currently have had a rubella infection or vaccine in the past.
Rubella treatment
No treatment shortens the course of rubella infection. Since the symptoms of this disease are mild, it usually does not require treatment and resolves on its own. However, doctors recommend avoiding contact with other people, especially pregnant people, as soon as you suspect Rubella and for seven days after the symptoms disappear.
Support for babies with congenital rubella syndrome depends on the baby’s problems. Infants with multiple side effects may require initial treatment with a team of specialists.
Rubella home treatment
- Simple first steps like resting at home and taking acetaminophen are needed to eliminate fever and pain.
- Be careful about giving aspirin to children and teenagers. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safer.
Prevention of rubella
The Rubella vaccine is usually given as the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, which can be combined with the chicken pox vaccine. This vaccine is usually injected between 12 and 15 years of age and then at 4 to 6 years of age (before entering school). The MMR vaccine can protect you from measles for the rest of your life. On the other hand, babies born to mothers who received this vaccine are immune to Rubella 6 to 8 months after birth. If for reasons such as travel, the baby needs to be vaccinated before 12 months, this vaccine can be given at six months, but the baby must be vaccinated again at the recommended times.
You can also take other steps to prevent the spread of disease, including:
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing;
- Do not share personal items such as glasses with others;
- wash your hands regularly;
- When traveling, research the possibility of contracting Rubella in the destination country.
Rubella and pregnancy
- If you plan to get pregnant, make sure to get the MMR vaccine;
- If you are pregnant and get infected with the rubella virus, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, this virus can cause death or severe congenital disabilities in the fetus. Rubella during pregnancy is the most common cause of congenital deafness in babies. For this reason, it is better to be protected against Rubella before pregnancy.
- If you are pregnant, have never received the rubella vaccine, and think you have been exposed to the virus, see your doctor immediately. A blood test can determine the level of immunity of your body against the virus.
MMR vaccine side effects
Most people do not experience any side effects. Some people experience mild side effects two weeks after the vaccine, less likely to occur with the second dose. Side effects of the vaccine include:
- Arm pain at the injection site;
- Fever;
- Slight rash or redness at the injection site.
Some people develop other complications, including:
- Temporary joint stiffness or pain, especially in adolescents and women who have not previously been immune to Rubella;
- Swollen glands in the cheeks or neck;
- convulsions with fever;
- decrease in blood platelets and unusual bleeding and bruising;
- Pimples all over the body;
- Severe allergic reaction (infrequent).
The link between the MMR vaccine and autism
There is widespread concern about the link between the MMR vaccine and autism, but research shows no connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. Autism is usually diagnosed between 18 and 30 months of age, and it is almost the same time the child receives the first dose of the MMR vaccine, but this coincidence in timing should not be confused with a cause-and-effect relationship.
Why do people not need the MMR vaccine?
In some cases, you do not need the vaccine, including:
- If you have received two doses of the MMR vaccine after 12 months of age;
- A blood test shows that you are immune to measles, mumps, and Rubella;
- You have had measles, mumps, and Rubella before and are resistant to them.
Who needs the MMR vaccine?
In some situations, it is necessary to get the MMR vaccine, including:
- You are a non-pregnant woman of reproductive age;
- you study in school;
- You work in a hospital, medical center, kindergarten, or school;
- Do you have a cruise plan?
MMR vaccine is not recommended for which people?
- Pregnant people or people who plan to get pregnant in the next month;
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or a previous dose of the MMR vaccine.
- If you have cancer, blood disorders, or other diseases, or are taking medications that affect your immune system, consult your doctor before getting the vaccine.
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Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
