Rubella:
Rubella is a viral illness that causes a skin rash and joint pain. A rubella infection is mild for most people but it can have amazingly big consequences for an unborn baby. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, her baby is at risk of severe and permanent birth defects or death.
Rubella is sometimes called German measles, but rubella is a different viral disease to measles.
Rubella is uncommon in Australia and other countries with widespread immunisation programs. Outbreaks still occur, so it is important to continue vaccinating children to prevent the spread of infection to pregnant women.
Rubella occurs in 5 out of 10 people around Australia, it usually occurs in adolescents with pain in their joints.
Rubella is most commonly spread when someone ingests (swallows) or inhales the cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person. Infants with CRS shed the rubella virus in their nose and throat secretions and in their urine for months or even years.
Symptoms occur usually between 14 to 17 days (and up to 21 days). People infected with rubella are infectious for approximately one week before, and for at least four days after, the onset of the rash.
Some of the symptoms of Rubella are;
· Mild fever
· Headache
· Runny nose
· Sore eyes
· Skin rash
· Swollen lymph nodes
· Joint pain
Rubella is a mild illness compared to measles and most people recover within about 3 days.
Possible complications of Rubella are;
Arthralgia- lingering joint pain
Otitis Media- Inflammation of middle ear
Encephalitis- Inflammation of brain, which can be fatal in cases
A pregnant mother can easily spread the rubella infection to the foetus, this is cases can have severe consequences such as miscarriage or birth defects. If the mother contracts the disease during the first 3 months of her pregnancy. About 9 in ever 10 unborn babies shown to rubella during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy will have a massive congenital abnormality.
Birth defects associated with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CSR) include:
-Deafness
-Blindness
-Heart Defects
-Intellectual Disability
-Impaired Growth
-Inflammation of various organs such as the brain, liver or lungs
No specific medical treatment for rubella exists and the symptoms are usually mild. Antibiotics don’t work because the illness is viral. Treatment aims to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Options may include:
-Bed rest
-Plenty of fluids
-Paracetamol to reduce pain and fever.
It is important to isolate yourself for at least four days following the onset of the rash to reduce the risk of infecting others.
Rubella is a viral illness that causes a skin rash and joint pain. A rubella infection is mild for most people but it can have amazingly big consequences for an unborn baby. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, her baby is at risk of severe and permanent birth defects or death.
Rubella is sometimes called German measles, but rubella is a different viral disease to measles.
Rubella is uncommon in Australia and other countries with widespread immunisation programs. Outbreaks still occur, so it is important to continue vaccinating children to prevent the spread of infection to pregnant women.
Rubella occurs in 5 out of 10 people around Australia, it usually occurs in adolescents with pain in their joints.
Rubella is most commonly spread when someone ingests (swallows) or inhales the cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person. Infants with CRS shed the rubella virus in their nose and throat secretions and in their urine for months or even years.
Symptoms occur usually between 14 to 17 days (and up to 21 days). People infected with rubella are infectious for approximately one week before, and for at least four days after, the onset of the rash.
Some of the symptoms of Rubella are;
· Mild fever
· Headache
· Runny nose
· Sore eyes
· Skin rash
· Swollen lymph nodes
· Joint pain
Rubella is a mild illness compared to measles and most people recover within about 3 days.
Possible complications of Rubella are;
Arthralgia- lingering joint pain
Otitis Media- Inflammation of middle ear
Encephalitis- Inflammation of brain, which can be fatal in cases
A pregnant mother can easily spread the rubella infection to the foetus, this is cases can have severe consequences such as miscarriage or birth defects. If the mother contracts the disease during the first 3 months of her pregnancy. About 9 in ever 10 unborn babies shown to rubella during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy will have a massive congenital abnormality.
Birth defects associated with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CSR) include:
-Deafness
-Blindness
-Heart Defects
-Intellectual Disability
-Impaired Growth
-Inflammation of various organs such as the brain, liver or lungs
No specific medical treatment for rubella exists and the symptoms are usually mild. Antibiotics don’t work because the illness is viral. Treatment aims to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Options may include:
-Bed rest
-Plenty of fluids
-Paracetamol to reduce pain and fever.
It is important to isolate yourself for at least four days following the onset of the rash to reduce the risk of infecting others.