One form of measles caused by a virus and characterized by fever, skin rash, sore throat, and other symptoms, lasting from about 3 days to 1 week is most dangerous during the first trimester of pregnancy as it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects. The disease can be prevented by inoculating females before they reach childbearing age; however, inoculation must be done at least 3 months prior to pregnancy.
A common infectious viral disease of children with mild fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash.
Rubella, commonly known as German measles, is a viral infection that primarily affects the skin and lymph glands. Although the infection is usually benign in children and adults, it poses a significant threat to pregnant women and their fetuses. Approximately 25% of infants whose mothers contract rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy have one or more birth defects, known collectively as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS); however, infants whose mothers are infected after the 20th week of pregnancy are largely unaffected. Congenital rubella syndrome has been associated with multiple organ and system malformations, including cardiac, ocular, central nervous system, and skeletal abnormalities, and more recently with the onset of schizophrenia in adulthood.
A highly contagious disease caused by the rubella virus that is spread in droplets through coughing, sneezing, or just talking. Rubella generally causes only mild, temporary symptoms in young children, a low fever for a day or so and a rash on the face and neck for two or three days, along with slight discomfort. Teenagers may also get swollen glands in the back of the neck and experience temporary arthritis, or pain and stiffness in the joints.
Contagious viral disease characterized by fever, mild symptoms of upper respiratory infection, and a diffuse, fine, red rash lasting for a short period, usually 3 or 4 days. The disease is usually mild and self-limiting; however, if contracted by a woman in early pregnancy, it may cause serious damage to the fetus. There is no treatment; prevention is by rubella vaccine, usually given to children as part of a normal immunization program; the vaccine should not be given to a pregnant woman or one who plans to become pregnant within 3 months. Also called three-day measles; German measles.
A contagious viral infection, also called German measles. Symptoms of rubella usually appear within 16 to 18 days after exposure. About half the people who become infected get a rash. The disease in an infected person is contagious from lo days before the rash appears up to 15 days after the rash appears. Other symptoms may include mild fever, aching joints, headaches, general malaise, runny nose, and reddened eyes.
Rubella, or German measles, is an acute infectious disease of a mild type in children but which is potentially dangerous in women in early pregnancy because it may infect the fetus.
A mild, febrile, highly infectious viral disease historically common in childhood prior to the advent of an effective vaccine. It still occurs among nonimmunized children and young adults, especially in cities of underdeveloped regions. The virus is transmitted through contact with nasopharygeal secretions, blood, urine, and stool of those already infected, and possibly via contact with contaminated clothing, tissues, etc. Humans are the only known host. The disease is contagious from about 10 days prior to appearance of the rash until about 5 days after its disappearance.
A viral disease that causes a rash and can cause birth defects in babies whose mothers have been exposed during the first few months of pregnancy; also known as German measles.
Rubella, commonly referred to as German measles, carries potential risks when contracted by a pregnant woman. If a woman becomes infected with rubella during pregnancy, her developing fetus may be adversely affected. One of the potential complications that can arise is the increased likelihood of autism spectrum disorder in the child. Recognizing the correlation between rubella infection during pregnancy and its potential impact on the infant’s neurodevelopment provides valuable insight into the importance of preventive measures and timely medical interventions.
Also referred to as German measles, Rubella is generally a concern when it infects a woman in the early stages of pregnancy who has not built immunity to the virus. In such cases, there’s a significant risk that the unborn child could develop serious birth abnormalities, a condition known as congenital rubella syndrome.
The rubella virus spreads through transmission from mother to baby and through person-to-person contact via airborne droplets. Its incubation period lasts for two to three weeks. Typically, children aged six to twelve are most commonly affected by the infection, and it tends to be consistently mild in nature.
Initial symptoms might include a mild fever, feelings of discomfort, and swollen lymph nodes located at the back of the neck. Subsequently, a rash emerges on the face, extending to the torso and limbs, and vanishes around three days later. In teenagers and adults, symptoms could be more pronounced, including a pre-rash headache and a higher fever.
The virus can spread starting approximately a week before the rash becomes visible and continues until a few days after it emerges. If the mother gets infected during the initial four months of pregnancy, an unborn baby is vulnerable to risks. The likelihood and severity of resulting abnormalities increase the earlier the infection occurs. The prevalent abnormalities include hearing loss, congenital heart issues, learning challenges, cataracts, purpura, cerebral palsy, and bone irregularities. Tragically, around one in five affected infants passes away during early infancy.
Rubella often gets mistaken for various viral infections, scarlet fever, and adverse drug reactions, as they can exhibit comparable symptoms. Definitive identification of rubella requires laboratory-based isolation of the virus, which can be achieved through methods like collecting a throat swab or conducting blood tests to detect antibodies (immune system-produced proteins) specific to the virus.
No particular treatment is available. Fever can be alleviated by administering paracetamol. The approach to managing congenital rubella syndrome is determined by the specific defects that are present.
The rubella vaccine grants enduring protection against the disease. Currently, it is administered as part of the MMR vaccine to infants between 12 and 15 months old, followed by a booster dose when they start school. Contracting rubella infection naturally also imparts immunity.
Women considering pregnancy should undergo testing to determine their rubella immunity status. If they are not immune, vaccination is recommended without delay. In cases where a pregnant woman without immunity encounters someone with rubella, administration of immunoglobulin injections might be considered for passive immunization, aiming to safeguard the fetus from infection.