What
is rubella?
Rubella
(German measles) is a relatively mild, three day illness
that seldom leads to complications in children. However,
when pregnant women get the disease during their first few
months of pregnancy, it can become serious. The rubella
virus can cause babies to be born with defects such as cataracts,
deafness, heart defects, and mental retardation, or the
pregnancy can end in a miscarriage.
What
are the symptoms of rubella?
Rubella
is usually a mild illness, with a slight fever, swelling
of the lymph glands (especially those in the back of the
neck), and a rash that lasts for three days. Children may
sometimes have no symptoms, but adults may have temporary
swelling and pain in the joints, a low-grade fever, headache,
weakness, runny nose, and red eyes.
How
soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms
usually appear 16 to 18 days after exposure, with a range
of 14 to 23 days.
How
is rubella spread?
The
rubella virus is found in the noses and throats of infected
people. Direct contact with these secretions or exposure
to the cough or sneeze of an infected person can spread
the disease.
How
long can a person spread rubella?
People
infected with rubella are contagious for about one week
before the rash and at least four days after the rash.
How
is rubella diagnosed?
Clinical
diagnosis of rubella is often inaccurate, so it is best
to check for rubella-specific antibodies in a person's blood.
Who
is at risk of getting rubella?
Although
rubella is most common among children and young adults,
people of all ages can develop the disease. It has been
estimated that one in five young adults is susceptible to
rubella in the United States. Rubella is especially dangerous
in women infected during the first few months of pregnancy
because the virus can severely damage the fetus.
Is
there a test for rubella immunity?
Blood
tests are used to measure the amount of rubella antibodies
in a person's blood. If a test shows rubella antibodies
are present, a person is immune. If no rubella antibodies
are present, a person is not protected against rubella.
Is
rubella vaccine safe?
Rubella
vaccine has an excellent record for safety. Swelling of
the lymph glands in the neck or a rash could happen one
to two weeks after getting the rubella vaccine. Mild pain
or stiffness in the joints lasting three days may happen
one to three weeks after getting the shot.
How
can rubella be prevented?
- By
ensuring that children are vaccinated at appropriate
ages.
- People
with rubella should be separated from non-immune people.
This includes exclusion from public settings such as
day-care centers, schools, or work.
- Pregnant
female contacts, in their first few months of pregnancy,
should have their blood tested for infection or immunity,
and should be advised accordingly.
- Blood
tests for rubella immunity should be done for all females
before marriage, to identify susceptible women before
pregnancy. Susceptible women should be immunized and
advised to delay becoming pregnant for at least three
months following immunization.
- Both
male and female health care workers should be immunized
against rubella, unless they can provide evidence of
immunization or disease.
What
is the difference between rubella (German measles) and measles
(rubeola)?
Rubella
(German measles) is a mild, three day infection that seldom
leads to complications in children. However, rubella may
cause birth deformities in babies born to mothers who are
infected during pregnancy. Measles (rubeola) is a serious
disease and is sometimes called "hard," "red,"
or "seven day measles." Individuals infected with
measles frequently suffer from ear infections and/or pneumonia.
Where
can I get more information?
- Your
personal doctor
- Your
local health department, listed in your telephone directory
- The
Utah Department of Health, Immunization Program (801)
538-9450 or the Bureau of Epidemiology (801) 538-6191
UTAH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
BUREAU OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
August 2001 |
