Mumella is a viral and contagious disease that usually affects children. German measles is the causative rubella virus that causes rubella, which is also called by different names such as three-day measles and rubella.
What is Rubella?
Rubella is an infectious disease of viral origin that causes a red rash in the body. Rubella, which is also an infectious disease, is caused by the infection of the rubella virus and is transmitted by droplet.
The droplets shed by people infected with the virus during actions such as breathing, speaking, coughing and sneezing contain rubella virus. Infection occurs when the virus in these droplets reaches the respiratory tract of a healthy person.
At the same time, healthy individuals who touch the uncleaned objects on which the droplets of the sick person are on and eat with the same glasses, plates, forks and spoons can also become infected by contacting their hands with their face, eyes, mouth and nose.
Rubella disease, which is usually seen in children aged 5-9 years, can affect adults, although less frequently.
What Causes Rubella?
Rubella is caused by infection with the rubella virus (rubella). The question of how rubella is transmitted is one of the issues that many people, especially mothers, wonder. Rubella virus is highly contagious and is easily transmitted by inhaling droplets spread by a sick person, touching the hands to the face and respiratory organs after contact with the objects infected with the virus.
- After the infection, the virus spreads to the body in 5-7 days on average and starts to show symptoms within 2-3 weeks.
- Red or pink rashes occur in approximately 50-80% of patients and last for approximately 1-3 days.
- This is why the disease is called three-day measles in some regions.
- These rashes first start on the face and neck in most of the patients and then spread to the body. In addition, swollen lymph nodes felt behind the ear and neck are the most prominent finding of the disease.
- Child Rubella disease, which is milder and lasts for a shorter time in adults, may be more severe and longer lasting in adults.
- Adults, especially young women, may experience joint pain that can last from 3 days to 10 days.
- The highest contagious period is the period from the first day of the red rash to the fifth day.
Is Rubella an Important Disease?
It is often confused with measles because of its similar name and symptoms. However, rubella is caused by a different virus than measles and is not as severe as measles, but is similar only in terms of the red rash and some other symptoms.
Rubella is a disease that has a mild course in children, often does not cause severe symptoms and is sometimes overcome without any symptoms.
In addition, it is very dangerous to see rubella in pregnant women. If rubella is seen in pregnant women, a picture called congenital rubella syndrome develops.
This situation can lead to permanent anomalies, miscarriage and serious complications that can lead to death in the baby. Being vaccinated or having had rubella in childhood provides lifelong protection and prevents the onset of the disease during pregnancy. For this reason, rubella (rubella) vaccine should be made together with the mumps and measles vaccines included in the mixed vaccine in childhood. The incidence of the disease is very low in countries with rubella vaccine in the vaccination calendar. Since it is very risky to develop the disease during pregnancy, it is recommended to vaccinate all individuals, especially women, until they reach the age of marriage.
What are the Symptoms of Rubella?
Rubella disease in children usually has a very mild course. Although it is a disease characterized by red rashes, some people can survive the disease even without showing any symptoms. However, the symptoms of rubella in adults may be somewhat more pronounced. TO n common rubella symptoms:
- Pink or red bumps starting on the face and spreading to the body,
- Mild fever,
- Red and swollen eyes (conjunctivitis),
- Runny nose and nasal congestion,
- Headache and muscle pain,
- Swelling and tenderness in lymph nodes,
- Pain in the joints (especially in young people) in female patients),
- Cough,
- Nausea.
What is Congenital Rubella Syndrome?
As a result of rubella infection in pregnant women, especially in early pregnancy, the probability of passing the virus to the baby is 90%. This condition can lead to infant death or congenital rubella syndrome.
The fetus with congenital rubella syndrome may develop autism, heart and eye defects, hearing disorders, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes and many life-long health problems.
Congenital rubella syndrome is most common in countries where women of childbearing age are not immune to the disease. There are only two ways to avoid catching rubella during childbearing. The first of these is to have had the disease in the previous period, and the second is to have had the rubella vaccine. Therefore, every woman of childbearing age should be vaccinated against rubella, if possible, while she is still in childhood.
How to Diagnose Rubella?
All individuals who experience rubella symptoms and suspect that they or their child may have rubella should apply to health institutions.
If rubella is suspected after the examination by the physician, a blood test called rubella test will be requested by the physician.
In rubella screening with blood test, antibodies produced by the body against the virus are investigated.
Another diagnostic method is culture research for the virus. The presence of the virus can be detected by sending the sample to be taken from the throat or nose to the relevant laboratory for examination. At the same time, rubella can be diagnosed by culture examination on the urine sample.
To be done with the diagnostic test recommended by the physician A treatment plan is determined for patients who are diagnosed with rubella after the examinations. The patient should remain as isolated as possible due to contagiousness. If the applicant is a pregnant woman, after the rubella values are investigated during pregnancy, if the disease is detected, the physician should be consulted about the risks for the baby and a treatment plan should be determined accordingly.
How to Treat Rubella?
There is no rubella treatment that cures the rubella infection or alleviates its course. This disease, which is mostly mild and does not cause significant complications, does not require any treatment.
In order to prevent contamination, it is recommended that the patient does not stay in the same environment with healthy people, especially pregnant women, and rest in isolation at home.
Apart from this, the physician may recommend drug applications such as painkillers and antipyretics for symptoms such as severe joint pain, muscle and headache, and fever. Bed rest during the illness helps to get over the illness as soon as possible.
If it is decided to continue the pregnancy after the evaluation of the patient and the physician together in pregnant patients, the mother can be treated with antibodies called hyperimmune globulin to fight infection. However, it should be known that this treatment does not prevent congenital rubella syndrome.
If it is decided to terminate the pregnancy, the necessary operation is planned in line with the physician's recommendations. In babies born with congenital rubella syndrome, the treatment plan is completely tailored to the condition of the baby.
To prevent rubella infection and congenital rubella syndrome, combined rubella-mumps-measles vaccines, known as MMR vaccine, should be administered during childhood or at the latest before marriage.
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