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RUBELLA (GERMAN MEASLES)

What is Rubella ?

Rubella is a mild infection caused by a virus. It mainly affects children and sometimes adults. The virus spreads from person to person by infectious material from the nose or mouth. This is spread during sneezing, coughing or talking. It may also infect others by direct contact. Many patients may have either mild symptoms or not even know that they have had the infection. Those who become ill, do so 2 to 3 weeks after being infected. Symptoms include a slight fever, runny nose, sore throat and large glands especially in the back of the neck. A rash appears on the face and spreads downwards to the trunk and limbs. Sometimes the eyes may appear red (conjunctivitis). The disease is usually more severe in adults than in children. Complications are very rare, especially in children. These include painful joints, blood disorders and brain infection. It can be difficult to diagnose rubella. Blood tests can diagnose the disease but these are seldom done. One attack of rubella infection gives lifelong protection against the disease because the body makes antibodies to the virus. These are then available to destroy the virus if it enters the body on a later occasion. Vaccination against the disease gives the same protection. Pregnant women are tested at antenatal clinics to find out if they have antibodies against rubella. This is because rubella may affect an unborn baby if the unprotected mother is infected during pregnancy. This is called congenital rubella. Infection during the first 3 months of pregnancy may lead to miscarriage or congenital abnormalities. These include deafness, eye defects, heart disease and mental retardation.

How does Rubella occur ?

The virus enters the body through the air passages, multiplying in their lining. The virus then spreads through the blood system to various parts of the body, including the skin where it causes the typical rash. In congenital rubella the virus reaches the developing baby by passing through the placenta (afterbirth).

Why does Rubella occur ?

Any person who has not had the disease previously or has not been vaccinated against it is likely to get the illness if they come into contact with the virus.

Treatment Involved for Rubella

Rubella is a mild infection and in most cases no treatment is needed. There is in fact no specific drug against rubella. Fever and painful joints may need bed rest and painkillers. The patient is infectious to others from about 1 week before symptoms start to about 1 week after the rash appears. Even patients with mild or no symptoms may also spread the virus. The vaccine is given together with the measles and mumps vaccines (MMR) between the ages of 1 and 2. The vaccine gives good protection and has very few side-effects. A booster dose is given before starting school.The real purpose of vaccinating people is to remove the risk of congenital rubella.

During Treatment for Rubella

The symptoms will settle after about a week.

After Treatment for Rubella

Complications are uncommon. Painful joints may develop, more often in women than in children and men. The fingers, wrists and knees are particularly affected. This gets better over a period of 2 to 3 weeks.

If Rubella is Left Untreated

No form of treatment affects the severity or duration of the illness.

Effects on Family of Rubella

The patient should avoid contact with pregnant women especially if they have not had the disease previously or have not been vaccinated. The patient is infectious for 7 days before and 7 days after the appearance of the rash.