Rubella: Symptoms and Treatment
Rubella, commonly known as three-day measles or German measles, is a highly contagious viral infection that results in a rash and other unpleasant symptoms. However, some children end up with symptoms so mild they don’t even know they’re infected. Compared to full-blown measles, rubella is much milder and shorter in duration.
However, it’s important to note that despite being mild for many people, including children, rubella is particularly dangerous for pregnant women. If infected during the first trimester, a pregnant woman may end up miscarrying, or the child may suffer severe birth defects.
Once you make it through a bout of rubella, you will have lifelong immunity.
Risk Factors for Rubella
Rubella has a few factors that may indicate whether you or someone you know is at risk of developing the illness, including the following:
- Not receiving the rubella vaccination
- Exposure to an active rubella infection
Causes of Rubella
Rubella is a viral infection, which means it spreads just like any other type of virus, usually through small droplets from your mouth or nose. Although it’s not nearly as contagious as full-blown measles or the common cold, the incubation period for rubella is long and typically lasts between 12 and 23 days.
Fortunately, thanks to the rubella vaccination, reported cases of rubella have decreased.
Symptoms of Rubella
If you have rubella, chances are it will start with a red rash that will spread from your head down to your neck and the rest of your body. Other symptoms may include the following:
- Fever
- Swollen glands
- Fatigue
- General aches and pains
- Headaches
- Mild pinkeye
- Runny nose
Despite the above symptoms, it is possible to have the virus and not know it.
Diagnosis of Rubella
If you think you may have rubella, visit your doctor for a checkup. During your visit, the doctor may perform a physical exam and run through your symptoms. If the doctor thinks you have rubella, you may have to undergo blood testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of Rubella
If you’re diagnosed with rubella, there are a few home remedies available to help relieve your symptoms. Because it’s a viral infection, antibiotics won’t work against it. All you can really do is wait for the infection to pass and take over-the-counter medications to help alleviate your fever, headaches, body aches, and any other symptoms you might find bothersome.
Prognosis of Rubella
Because rubella is generally a mild infection, it usually clears up on its own with rest, plenty of fluids, and time.
Complications of Rubella
Like many other medical conditions, there are complications associated with rubella. For example, you may develop a mild form of arthritis. Fortunately, this particular complication usually clears up on its own and is more common to occur in adult women than men. You may also develop an ear infection, and in rare cases, encephalitis.
Rubella is also dangerous for pregnant women and carries a high risk of miscarriage or serious birth defects during the first trimester. After the first trimester, the risk goes down a little bit each week. Some of the problems children born to mothers who had rubella may include the following:
- Deafness
- Bone marrow defects
- Cataracts
- Slowed growth
- Developmental problems
