What is Rubella?
Rubella is caused by a virus which also has RNA as its nucleic acid. Similar to measles, it can be transmitted by respiratory secretions, from people coughing or sneezing.
People who are infected are contagious for up to a week before they show symptoms and for about two weeks after the symptoms develop.
It is also known as German measles and is not as contagious as measles. Many people who are exposed to rubella do not become ill. It is also not a severe illness except in those with a compromised immune system.
Incubation of the disease can take from about 2 to 3 weeks. Symptoms can include a low fever (less than 38.3 degree C), general feeling of discomfort, conjunctivitis and swollen lymph nodes. Painful joints can also occur in some people.
Painful swollen lymph nodes in the neck are common and the back of the throat becomes reddish in color.
No early symptoms (a prodromal stage), occurs in rubella. Rubella has some similar symptoms to measles in that there are a rash and a fever.
A rash first forms on the face then spreads to the rest of the body. It does not last long and starts to fade to tiny spots by the second day, at which time the fever stops. The rash can last up to 5 days.
Bruises that form on the soft palate of the mouth (known as Forschheimer spots), will join together to form a reddish area.
Rubella in a pregnant woman is very dangerous and can cause defects in a newborn such as deafness, microcephaly and even stillbirths. It can even lead to cataracts and heart defects in the newborn if the mother is exposed during pregnancy.
The best protection against rubella is the MMR vaccine. The incidence of rubella decreased after vaccination programs started.
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