Rubella, also known as German measles, is a contagious disease caused by a virus that causes flu-like symptoms and a rash. It is usually mild but can be dangerous for unborn babies. It can be prevented through vaccination and treatment focuses on rest and comfort.
German measles, known medically as rubella, is a contagious disease. Caused by a virus and often referred to as three-day measles, rubella causes flu-like symptoms. Its symptoms include low-grade fever, runny nose, headache, red eyes, and pain in your muscles or joints. A person with this condition will typically develop a rash, which is often one of the first clues that the person has measles instead of some other type of disease.
When a person has rubella, signs of the disease may begin with a fever that does not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The fever may only last a day or two. A person may develop swollen lymph nodes, especially behind the ears and in the neck. He may also develop a rash on his face, which then spreads to the rest of his body. The facial rash usually goes away as it spreads to other parts of the body.
The German measles rash is typically pink or light red. The rash is itchy and often lasts about three days. As the rash clears up, the patient may notice their skin shedding into tiny flakes where the rash used to cover it.
In most cases, German measles is a mild disease. In fact, some people get it but remain completely unaware that they have it. In the past, this disease most frequently affected children between the ages of five and nine. Today it is more likely to affect young adults who have not been vaccinated, instead of children.
Although German measles most often occurs as a mild disease, it can be dangerous to unborn babies. When a woman contracts rubella during pregnancy, her unborn baby can develop congenital rubella syndrome. An infection in the uterus with this disease can have serious effects on the unborn baby. It can cause growth retardation and deformities affecting the heart and eyes. It can cause a child to be born deaf or cause problems with the child’s spleen and liver. It can even cause bone marrow problems in a child.
Rubella is caused by a virus and can be transmitted through coughs and sneezes, just like the common cold. It can be prevented through vaccination. If a person gets this disease, they are contagious for about a week before developing a rash and for about a week after. Once the disease develops, it usually has to run its course, as antibiotics don’t work to fight the virus. Often, treatment focuses on rest and comfort for the patient.
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