CDC/ Dr. Fred Murphy; Sylvia Whitfield

Rubella Infection

Article
Kids' Zone
Diseases & Conditions
+1
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBAJan 14, 2019

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • 3-Day Measles
  • German Measles
  • Three Day Measles

What is Rubella Infection? (Definition/Background Information)

  • Rubella Infection is a contagious viral infection caused by the rubella virus
  • It is characterized by a distinctive red rash on the skin. The infection is commonly known as German Measles or 3-Day Measles
  • It can spread through respiratory droplets, from one individual to another. A diagnosis of Rubella is made by its signs and symptoms and lab blood tests
  • The treatment measures consist of supportive care and plenty of rest. The infection is largely mild and self-limiting in a majority of individuals and the prognosis of Rubella Infection is excellent
  • Rubella vaccinations are available that offer a lifetime of protection against the infection

Who gets Rubella Infection? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Any individual may be affected by Rubella Infection, but it is common among children and young adults
  • Both males and females are equally affected
  • Infected pregnant women carry a high risk of transmitting the disease to the fetus (causing congenital rubella syndrome)
  • Individuals of any race and ethnicity may be affected

What are the Risk Factors for Rubella Infection? (Predisposing Factors)

The risk factors of Rubella Infection include:

  • Any individual, who has not been affected by Rubella previously
  • Individuals, who are not immunized against the disease

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Rubella Infection? (Etiology)

  • Rubella Infection is a contagious and infectious disease caused by the rubella virus
  • It is an airborne infection. When an infected individual coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets of the virus gets mixed in the air. When an individual inhales this infected air, they contract Rubella
  • When an individual comes into direct contact with an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as mucus, the disease spreads at a much higher rate
  • A pregnant women can transmit the disease to her unborn child (this is called trans-placental infection), causing congenital rubella syndrome, which is a serious condition

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Rubella Infection?

The signs and symptoms of Rubella Infection are very mild in a majority of individuals. They generally include:

  • Mild fever
  • Headache
  • Stuffy or running nose
  • Inflamed red eyes
  • Enlarged and painful lymph nodes:
    • At the base of the skull
    • At the back of the neck
    • Behind the ears
  • Pink-colored rashes that appear in the face/neck and then spread throughout the body, lasting about 3 days
  • Aching joints in young adult women

How is Rubella Infection Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Rubella Infection may involve:

  • Physical examination with complete medical history evaluation
  • Laboratory tests are conducted to confirm the presence of Rubella. A virus culture or blood test may be conducted to detect the different types of Rubella antibodies in blood

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Rubella Infection?

Generally, Rubella is a mild infection and complications do not arise. However, the following complications may occur:

  • In some cases, women may experience arthritis in the fingers, wrists, and knees, lasting for a month. This can cause significant discomfort
  • In very rare cases, Rubella leads to ear infection (otitis media)
  • Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
  • An infected pregnant woman may cause the infection to affect her unborn child, which may lead to congenital rubella syndrome with severe consequences

How is Rubella Infection Treated?

There is no treatment for Rubella Infection. A supportive care is usually given, which helps in reducing the effects of the infection. These supportive treatment measures may include:

  • Lots of fluid intake
  • Plenty of rest
  • Use of medication, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to reduce fever and pain
  • Rubella is caused by a virus and hence, antibiotics are not effective

Note: Aspirin should not be given to children, since it can cause Reye’s syndrome as a side effect.

How can Rubella Infection be Prevented?

The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine) is the most effective and safest preventive method used to control Rubella Infection. Healthcare providers’ advice that this vaccination should be administered to children in 2 phases, which are:

  • 1st dose between the period 12-15 months
  • 2nd dose between 4 and 12 years of age of the child (a booster MMR vaccine dose)

About 95% of the individuals are immune to the disease, when the first dose of vaccine is administered. In rare cases, a second dose is needed to make them completely immune to Rubella Infection.

What is the Prognosis of Rubella Infection? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

  • Rubella is usually a self-limiting infection with mild symptoms. Hence, in most individuals, Rubella Infection has an excellent prognosis
  • Also, after an infection, most individuals have lifelong immunity to the disease

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Rubella Infection:

  • Congenital rubella syndrome is a type of in-utero infection, which occurs in a fetus, whose mother is infected with rubella virus. This infection occurs during the first 3 months of pregnancy (first trimester of pregnancy)
  • Reye's syndrome is a rare, but potentially deadly disorder, mostly affecting children and teens

The following article link will help you understand Reye’s syndrome:

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/reyes-syndrome/

The following article link will help you understand rubella blood test:

http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-laboratory/rubella-blood-test/

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Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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