Rubella is a viral disease that causes a rash and fever, but is usually harmless and provides lifelong immunity. However, it can cause serious birth defects in pregnant women. Vaccination is recommended, and those who contract the disease are advised to stay home and stay hydrated.
Rubella is an infectious but mild viral disease characterized by an eruptive rash that begins on the face and spreads throughout the rest of the body. In most cases, the disease is relatively harmless, with all symptoms disappearing after about a week, leaving the patient with lifelong immunity. However, in pregnant women, the disease can cause serious birth defects or miscarriage if contracted in the first trimester.
The disease is caused by the spread of secretions from an infected patient’s nose and throat. This rush carries a load of rubivirus, the viral agent responsible for the infection. Symptoms may not show up for up to a month, as the virus reproduces in the body. The rash is usually the first sign and the patient may also experience fever and joint pain. Within three days, the rash disappeared, leading some people to refer to the illness as “three-day measles.” In some cases, patients experience persistent joint pain due to rubella infection.
The word “rubella” comes from the Latin word for “red,” a reference to the distinctive rash that accompanies the infection. It can also be called German measles and has traditionally been associated with childhood, as most patients contracted the infection when young, allowing them to resist it as adults. Adults without immunity would, of course, experience full-blown rubella symptoms if they were exposed, but these symptoms usually wouldn’t be dangerous.
Fortunately, a rubella vaccine was developed in 1969 and children are routinely vaccinated in most first world countries. Women who are considering pregnancy may want to consider asking their doctors to take a titer to ensure they have a healthy population of antibodies against the disease. Because the condition is highly contagious, travelers may be at risk when visiting countries with less stringent vaccination policies, and boosters may be recommended in this case.
In the rare event that someone does get rubella, the disease is usually allowed to run its course. Medical professionals may ask the patient to stay at home so they do not expose others, especially pregnant women, to the disease. In some cases, aspirin may be given to relieve joint pain; otherwise, no treatment is given other than the recommendation to keep well hydrated and warm. If the fever associated with the condition becomes severe, more serious action may need to be taken to keep the patient healthy.
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