(also known as '''epidemic roseola''', '''German measles''', '''liberty measles''' or '''three-day measles''') is a
Disease caused by the '''''Rubella virus'''''. It is often mild and an attack can pass unnoticed. However, this can make the virus difficult to diagnose. The virus usually enters the body through the
Nose or
Throat . The disease can last 1-5 days. Children recover more quickly than adults. Like most viruses living along the respiratory tract, it is passed from person to person by tiny droplets in the air that are breathed out. Rubella can also be transmitted from a mother to her developing baby through the bloodstream via the placenta. The virus has an
Incubation Period of 2 to 3 weeks during which it becomes established.
The name has nothing to do with
Germany . It comes from the Latin ''germanus'', meaning "similar", since rubella and
Measles share many symptoms.
Symptoms of rubella include:
- swollen Gland s or lymph nodes (may persist for up to a week)
- Fever (rarely rises above 38 degrees Celsius degrees Fahrenheit )
- rash (Appears on the face and then spreads to the trunk and limbs. It appears as pink dots under the skin. It appears on the first or third day of the illness but it disappears after a few days with no staining or peeling of the skin)
- Forchheimer's Sign occurs in 20% of cases, and is characterized by small, red Papules on the area of the Soft Palate
- flaking, dry skin
- Inflammation of the Eye s
- nasal congestion
- joint pain and swelling
- pain in the Testicle s
- loss of appetite
- headache
- nerves become weak or numb (very rare)
Rubella can affect anyone of any age and is generally a mild disease. However, rubella can cause
Congenital Rubella Syndrome in the fetus of an infected pregnant woman.
Symptoms are usually treated with
Acetaminophen until the disease has run its course. There is no treatment available for congenital rubella.
Fewer cases of rubella occur since a
Vaccine became available in
1969 , although decreased uptake of the
MMR Vaccine (e.g. in the UK) is expected to lead to a rise in incidence. In most Western countries, the vast majority of people are vaccinated against rubella as children at 12 to 15 months of age. A second dose is required before age 11. The vaccine gives lifelong protection against rubella. A side-effect of the vaccine can be transient arthritis.
The plans to eliminate the disease by
2010 .
- Rubella at Wong's Virology, accessed on 24th January 2006.
