Rubella (German Measles) Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Rubella (German measles) is an infectious disease caused by the Rubella virus. Rubella virus infection attacks the skin and lymph nodes. Therefore, the most common symptom is a rash.
Generally, this disease attacks children. In children, rubella usually only causes mild symptoms that don’t interfere with daily activities.
However, rubella infection in pregnant women is more dangerous, because it can cause defects in the unborn fetus.
Rubella
| Medical specialist | Internal medicine specialist, child |
| Symptoms | Mild fever, swollen lymph nodes on the back of the neck or behind the ears, there is a reddish rash on the skin, headache |
| risk factor | Infants, toddlers, adults who are not immunized against rubella, pregnant women |
| diagnosis | History, physical examination, examination of antirubella IgM antibodies |
| Treatment | Symptomatic therapy, rest, healthy diet |
| Drug | Symptomatic medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) |
| Complications | Arthritis, brain infections, bleeding problems, miscarriages, babies dying right after birth, birth defects |
| When to see a doctor? | If you suspect yourself or your child has been exposed to rubella. If you have signs or symptoms resembling Rubella |
Symptoms
Symptoms that accompany Rubella disease infection are preceded by the following signs:
- Mild fever (37–37.8 C) for 1–2 days
- Swollen lymph nodes in the back of the neck or behind the ears
- There is a reddish rash on the skin, starting on the face and spreading to the hands and feet. Sometimes this reddish rash feels a bit itchy. The rash will disappear within 1–3 days
- Headache
- No appetite
- Red eye
- Runny nose
- Joint pain
However, in people with good immune systems, rubella often causes only mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all.
Rubella becomes dangerous when pregnant women are infected because it can cause fetal defects.
Babies born later have the potential to experience congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
Namely, infant defects due to rubella infection which is characterized by congenital heart disease, hearing loss, cataracts, mental retardation, or liver and bone marrow disorders.
Reason
Rubella disease is caused by the Rubella virus. The virus spreads through droplets (saliva splashes) when a rubella sufferer coughs, sneezes or shares food with healthy people.
The virus can also be spread by direct contact with infected mucus from the nose and throat. Pregnant women can also transmit it to the fetus through blood.
People infected with the rubella virus have about a week before developing a rash. It also takes one week for the rash to disappear.
So, an infected person can spread the disease not knowing he has it.
Rubella is rare in countries where citizens have been vaccinated since childhood.
In some other parts of the world, the virus is still active and is something to consider before going abroad, especially if you are pregnant.
However, once exposed to the disease, the body is usually permanently immune.
Risk Factors
Infants and toddlers who do not get immunized are at high risk of getting German measles.
So it’s very important to contact your doctor if you suspect an infection, especially if you have never been vaccinated.
Other major risks are also found in pregnant women and the developing fetus.
Diagnosis
In general, doctors need a series of tests to diagnose rubella, namely:
- History or medical interview
- Thorough physical examination
- In certain cases, sometimes it is necessary to check for antirubella IgM antibodies, which are obtained through blood tests
This examination is in the form of a viral culture or blood test, which can detect the presence of various types of rubella antibodies in the blood
These antibodies show whether you have had a recent or previous infection from the rubella vaccine
Treatment
Rubella can be diagnosed and treated by internal medicine specialists for adult patients, as well as pediatricians for infants and children.
There is no specific treatment that can shorten the course of rubella infection, and symptoms usually do not need to be treated as they are often mild.
Rubella will clear up on its own in 3–5 days. No special treatment with antibiotics is needed, for example, unless there is a complication of a bacterial infection.
Here are some things to watch out for during the treatment or recovery period for rubella:
- To avoid transmitting it to other people, people with rubella should not leave the house until they are healed or until at least seven days after the rash has disappeared
- To deal with fever and complaints of aches, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen as pain relievers or antipyretics.
- Support for babies born with congenital rubella syndrome varies, depending on the level of the baby’s problems. Children who have many complications may need early treatment
- rest in bed ( bed rest )
- Multivitamins as an effort to increase the improvement of the immune system against ongoing infections
Doctors can prescribe drugs as symptomatic therapy or according to symptoms:
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
- Ibuprofen
- Multivitamin
Prevention
Here are some ways to prevent the spread of Rubella:
- Rubella can be prevented with Rubella immunization. In Indonesia, Rubella immunization is given in the form of MMR or MR immunization. This type of immunization is given at the age of 15 months. Then repeated again at the age of 5 years
- If adults have not received this immunization, MR or MMR immunization can also be given to adults as long as they are not pregnant. Women, should not plan a pregnancy within 1 month after rubella immunization
- Avoid contact with people with rubella, especially if you have never had the MMR or MR vaccine
- Isolate or separate the living space between people or close relatives who are suspected of having rubella
- Maintain personal hygiene by washing your hands, for example when you come home from traveling or make contact with a rubella sufferer
Complications
Here are some complications that may occur due to Rubella:
- According to research, 70 percent of women who get rubella may develop arthritis. However, it is rare in children and men
- In rare cases, rubella can cause serious problems, including brain infection and bleeding problems
- The most serious complication of rubella infection is the harm it can cause to the developing fetus.
If an unvaccinated pregnant woman is infected with rubella, she can have a miscarriage. The baby can also die right after birth
- After passing the virus to babies, rubella can develop serious birth defects such as:
- Loss of sight and hearing
- Heart problems
- Intellectual disability
- Liver or spleen damage
When to See a Doctor?
Call your healthcare provider if you suspect you or a family member has Rubella-like signs.
If you are considering getting pregnant, check your vaccination records to make sure you have received the MMR vaccine.