Rubella (German
Measles) Rubella infection is commonly known as
"German measles" or "3-day measles." It may begin with 1 or
2 days of mild fever (99 degrees F to 100 degrees F) and
swollen glands that are usually found either in the neck or
behind the ears. On the second or third day, a rash appears
that begins at the hairline and spreads downward on the rest
of the body. As the rash spreads downward on the body, it
usually clears on the face. The rubella rash appears as
either pink or light red spots, about 0.1 inches (2 to 3 mm)
in diameter, which may merge to form evenly colored patches.
The rash doesn't itch, and lasts up to 5 days (the average
is 3 days). As the rash passes, the affected skin may be
shed in flakes. Other symptoms of rubella may include:
mild conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the
eyelids and eyeballs); stuffy or runny nose; swollen lymph
glands in other regions of the body; pain and swelling in
the joints (especially in young women); and in males, pain
in the testicles. When rubella occurs in a pregnant
woman, it may cause congenital rubella syndrome with serious
malformations of her developing fetus. Children infected
with rubella before birth (a condition known as congenital
rubella) are at risk for the following: growth retardation;
malformations of the heart, eyes, or brain; deafness; and
liver, spleen, and bone marrow problems Before a vaccine against rubella
became available in 1969, there were rubella epidemics every
6 to 9 years. Those primarily affected by rubella were
children ages 5 to 9 and adults, but there were also many
cases of congenital rubella. Now, due to immunization of
younger children and teens, fewer cases of congenital
rubella occur. Estimates are that 10% of young women of
childbearing age are currently susceptible to rubella;
obstetricians usually will check for immunity. The term "German" has nothing to do
with the country, but probably came from the Old French term
"germain" and the Latin term "germanus," meaning "akin to"
or "similar." The rubella rash may last from 1 to 5
days, but 3 days is the most common duration. Children with
rubella usually recover within a week. The rubella virus passes from person
to person through droplets and fluids from the nose and
throat. Persons with rubella are contagious from 1 week
before the rash appears until 1 week after it fades. The
incubation period for rubella is 14 to 21 days; 18 days is
the average incubation period. Rubella can be prevented by a rubella
vaccine, which is usually given to children at 12 to 15
months as part of the scheduled Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
immunization. A second dose of MMR is generally given at 4
to 6 years of age, but should be given no later than 11 to
12 years of age. The rubella vaccine should not be given to
pregnant women or to a woman who may become pregnant within
3 months of receiving the vaccine. COMMON
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