- Knowledgebase: Information on Specific Illnesses
- Here you will find discussions of specific illnesses and their management.
- 45. Rubella - Top
- Alternative Names
German measles; three day measles
Definition
A contagious viral infection with mild symptoms associated with a rash.
Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors
The disease is caused by a virus that is spread through the air or by close contact. It can also be transmitted to a fetus by a mother with an active infection. The disease is usually mild and may even go unnoticed. Children may have few symptoms, but adults may experience a prodrome (warning symptom) of a fever, headache, malaise, runny nose, and inflamed eyes that lasts from 1 to 5 days before the rash appears. A person can transmit the disease from 1 week before the onset of the rash until 1 week after the rash disappears. The disease is not as contagious as rubeola (measles), therefore many people are not infected during childhood. Lifelong immunity to the disease follows infection. Epidemics may occur at about 6- to 9-year intervals. The risk factors are the unimmunized individuals. Only 1,400 cases were reported in the U.S. in 1991.
The disease is potentially serious because of the ability to produce defects in a developing fetus if the mother is infected during early pregnancy. As many as 10 to 15% of women in their childbearing years are susceptible to infection. Congenital rubella syndrome occurs in 25% or more of infants born to women who acquired rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy. Defects are rare if the infection occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. One or more defects may occur in an infected fetus and include deafness, cataracts, microcephaly, mental retardation, congenital heart defects, and other defects. A miscarriage or stillbirth may occur.
Symptoms
low-grade fever (102 F or lower)
headache
general discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)
runny nose
inflammation of the eyes (bloodshot eyes)
rash with skin redness or inflammation
cloudy cornea
Note: There may be no symptoms
Signs And Tests
a rubella serology
a nasal or throat swab for viral culture
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
electronystagmography
caloric stimulation
Treatment
There is no treatment for this disease. Acetaminophen can be given to reduce fever. The treatment of congenital rubella syndrome is for the defects that may be present.
Expectations (Prognosis)
Rubella is usually a mild, self-limiting infection with an excellent prognosis (probable outcome). Up to 25% of infants born to mothers infected during early pregnancy will develop congenital rubella syndrome associated with a poor prognosis (probable outcome).
Complications
congenital rubella syndrome
encephalitis (rare)
otitis media (rare)
transient arthritis
- Updated: March 5, 2001
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