Rubella

Overview of Rubella

It is also known as German Measles or 3-Day measles,[2]

Transmission – Droplet inhalation from an infected person. Neonates with congenital infection are prominent shedders of the virus, which may found, often as long as 6 months. Incubation period – 14–21 days. Period of infectivity – from 7 days before to 2 weeks after onset.

Causes of Rubella

• Rubella is caused by a virus that’s passed from person to person. It can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by direct contact with infected mucus from the nose and throat.
• It can also passed on from pregnant women to their unborn children through the bloodstream.
• A person who has infected with the virus that causes rubella is contagious for about one week before the onset of the rash until about one week after the rash disappears.
• An infected person can spread the illness before the person realizes they has it.[4]

Sign & Symptoms of Rubella

• Exanthem – Rash occurs more often in older children and adults on first or second day of illness, first on face and behind the ears, and then spreads downwards to trunk and limbs.
• The rash is variable but commonly starts as discrete, pink, punctate, erythematous, perifollicular macules that rapidly become confluent.
• Alternatively, there may blotchy pink rash or confluent blush. The rash seldom persists for more than 4 days and is not followed by staining or desquamation.
• Rubella without rash is common in young children. In a dark-skinned patient all that may seen is prominence of hair follicles giving a goose pimpled appearance.
• Arthralgia is common and occasionally arthritis. Distribution is usually symmetrical polysynovitis involving the small joints of hands, knees, hips and intervertebral joints, which occasionally may not remit promptly.
• Lymphadenopathy – Slight enlargement of lymph nodes, particularly of sub occipital and posterior auricular groups.
• Buccal mucous membranes – are inflamed, with blotchy erythema and prominent follicles on soft palate, accompanied by mild conjunctivitis and coryza.[1]

Diagnosis of Rubella

• The rubella rash can look like many other viral rashes. So health care providers usually confirm rubella with the help of lab tests.
• You may have a virus culture or a blood test, which can detect the presence of different types of rubella antibodies in your blood.
• These antibodies show whether you’ve had a recent or past infection or a rubella vaccine.[4]

Treatment of Rubella

• Bed rest
• Analgesics suffice for the uncomplicated attack. Rubella proven by antibody estimation in first 4 months of pregnancy is a strong indication for termination.
• Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be given to control fever.[2]
• Ibuprofen reduce joint and muscle pain.

Strategies for Immunization

1. Combined MMR vaccine give routinely to all children in the second year of life, with a booster in the second decade.
2. All women screen when they reach childbearing age and immunize with monovalent rubella vaccine, if non-immune. It is necessary to maintain adequate contraceptive measures for 3 months.
3. Routine screening and immunization undertake in the immediate postnatal period. Immunized mothers excrete the vaccine virus in breast milk for up to 1 month; this is not a contraindication to vaccination or breastfeeding.
4. Adverse reactions – to vaccine limit and include transient arthralgia, and egg and neomycin hypersensitive reactions.[1]

Complications of Rubella

• Encephalitis
• G-B syndrome
• Thrombocytopenia
• Hepatitis

Diet & Regimen of Rubella

• Eliminate all suspected food allergens, including dairy (milk, cheese, eggs, and ice cream), wheat (gluten), soy, corn, preservatives, and chemical food additives. Your health care provider may want to test you for food allergies.
• Eat foods high in B-vitamins and iron, such as whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), and sea vegetables.
• Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell pepper).
• Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans for protein.
• Use healthy oils for cooking, such as olive oil.
• Reduce significantly or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially-baked foods, such as cookies, crackers, cakes, and donuts. Also avoid French fries, onion rings, processed foods, and margarine.
• Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
• Exercise moderately for 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.[2]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rubella?

Rubella is an exanthema caused by a RNA virus of the toga virus family.

Homeopathic Medicines used by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of Rubella?

• Aconitum napellus
• Bryonia
• Euphrasia
• Pulsatilla
• Belladonna
• Gelsemium
• Kali bichromicum

What is the main cause of Rubella?

Rubella is caused by a virus that’s passed from person to person.

What are the symptoms of Rubella?

• Exanthem – Rash occurs more often in older children and adults on first or second day of illness, first on face and behind the ears, and then spreads downwards to trunk and limbs.