Rubella

Rubella is a contagious illness that can occur when someone becomes infected by the rubella virus. It is sometimes also called the “three-day measles,” in reference to the short lifespan of the disease, or “German measles,” in reference to the German scientists who first studied rubella in the 1800s. The disease mainly affects the lymph nodes and the skin, causing a red rash to appear. However, it passes quickly unlike other forms of the measles. The rubella virus is transmitted via airborne water droplets and mainly affects young children.

Congenital rubella is a much more serious form of the disease that occurs in pregnant women, moving through the bloodstream of the woman and thereby affecting the fetus. If this occurs prior to the twentieth week of pregnancy, there is a risk of the child being born with a condition known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). CRS is incurable and includes a wide variety of symptoms. Contracting rubella while pregnant can also cause miscarriage or stillbirth. This occurs in nearly 20% of cases.

Symptoms

Cases of rubella in children have very few or mild symptoms. These can include a fever between 99 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit and tender or swollen lymph nodes. Following the onset of these symptoms, the rash usually appears. It begins at the top of the body, including the face and neck, and moves downwards. In children, sometimes a rash is the only noticeable feature. It can be itchy but it usually only lasts up to three days in total.

When rubella occurs in adults, the symptoms are more noticeable, and may include: malaise or discomfort, lack of appetite, headaches, conjunctivitis, nasal secretions, fever, and the characteristic rash. In rare cases, people have reported experiencing bruising, eye inflammation, and joint or muscle pain.

Causes

As mentioned, rubella is caused by the rubella virus. It is spread through water droplets in the air that carry the virus. When someone infected with the virus sneezes, speaks, or coughs, these water droplets are projected into the air and can be inhaled by other people. This often results in contraction of the rubella disease.

Infected persons can spread the rubella virus before they know they have it. It is contagious for up to one week prior to the appearance of a rash. After the rash disappears, they are usually still contagious for a period of one or two weeks.

Prevention

The rubella virus is preventable. In 1969, a vaccine was developed that was successful in preventing people from contracting rubella. The vaccination is a live but disabled virus that is given to most children in the United States today as part of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine program. It is recommended that children get an initial dose of this vaccine between the age of 12 and 18 months. A second dose is required around the age of 36 months to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine.

For women who are considering getting pregnant or are already pregnant, a blood test can determine whether or not they are immune to the rubella virus. In the case that a woman is not immune, her pregnancy status will determine whether or not she can get the vaccine. Women who are not immune and are not pregnant can be immunized however, they are advised to wait one month before trying to get pregnant afterwards. Women who are already pregnant should not be vaccinated, as the vaccine contains a live virus that might harm the baby.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), instances of rubella have greatly decreased in the past decade, thanks to a global vaccination campaign. In the United States, rubella is considered eliminated in both of its forms, acquired and congenital.

Treatment

Rubella has no known cure. In most cases, affected persons recover quite quickly and so specific treatments are not necessary. Over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen, can help to address uncomfortable symptoms until they disappear on their own.

In babies born with CRS, symptoms are treated at birth. Common complications include congenital heart defects and cataracts, both of which can be improved via surgery.