What is Rubella/ Rubeola?
Rubella is also called German measles, rubeola is mild or regular measles, the symptoms are so mild that more than half of people with the infection do not even notice that they have contracted it. The difference between the two is the duration and severity of the sickness. Rubella is considered to be a milder disease that only lasts around three days, though Rubeola could become a serious illness that lasts several days and can cause other serious permanent complications. It is also an infection that causes mild flu-like symptoms and a rash on the skin.
There is a kind of rubella that is called congenital rubella syndrome this is the type contracted during early pregnancy it can cause substantial negative outcomes (fetal malformation) for the unborn child.
Causes Rubella
It is caused by the rubella virus a tiny organism that can make you sick, but it is different from the virus that causes measles.
Rubella spreads when people breathe in virus-infected fluid, such as the droplets sprayed into the air when a person with rubella sneezes or coughs, or share food or drink with someone who's infected. It also can pass through a pregnant woman's bloodstream to infect her unborn child.
In summary the virus spread via:
- direct contact, such as kissing an infected person
- through the air, such as when an infected person:
- coughs
- sneezes
- talks
Rubella During pregnancy
If you register in a very good clinic for antenatal during your pregnant, you will be offered a rubella immunity blood test by your midwife or doctor as part of routine antenatal screening.
If you're not immune to rubella, try to avoid anyone who has the rubella virus. In case of any contact with rubella virus, inform your midwife as soon as possible, so that your doctor would prescribe a suitable treatment at that point in time. You can receive the MMR vaccination after giving birth to protect you against rubella in the future. The MMR vaccine can be given to breastfeeding mothers without any risk to their baby.
Symptoms/Signs of Rubella
The symptom usually develops within two to three weeks after the initial exposure to the virus. The symptom may include:
Pink or red rash that begins on the face and then spreads downward to the rest of the body
- Mild fever, usually under 102°F
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Inflamed or red eyes
In rare cases, German measles can lead to ear infections and brain swelling.
Advance Symptom
- Prolonged headache
- Earache
- Stiff neck
The incubation period for rubella is between 14 and 23 days, with an average incubation period of 16 to18 days. This means that it can take two or more weeks for a child to get rubella after being exposed to someone with the disease.
How to diagnose Rubella
A nasal or throat swab may be sent for culture. A blood test can be done to see if a person is protected against rubella. All women who may become pregnant should have this test. If the test is negative, they will receive the vaccine.
How to Prevent Rubella
The best way to avoid catching rubella is to be immunised with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Rubella is a vaccine preventable disease. The MMR vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisation programme. Ask your doctor or Matron, when your baby is one year, the first dose would be given to a child and the second booster dose would be given at three years and four months.
Treatment for Rubella
There is no effective antiviral treatment for rubella. Treatment of symptoms includes plenty of fluids and pain relief if required. Paracetamol may be used to reduce fever and pain. Aspirin should not be given to children under twelve years of age unless specifically recommended by a doctor.
Rubella Home Remedies/Home Cure
Eggplant Seeds
Measles contractions are very common during the outbreak of this infection. Eggplant seeds when given to the patient thrice a day help in preventing the contractions. It is recommended that Eggplant seeds be taken by other members of the family as well to prevent the spread of infection among them.
Fruit Juice
The outbreak of Rubella is accompanied with high temperature, which results in dehydration. Orange juice or even Lemon juice are good source of vitamin C which not only help in quenching the thirst pangs and soothing the throat, but also help overcome major hunger pangs, which are also a result of this viral outbreak.
Turmeric Roots
Turmeric is well known for its antibacterial properties. Turmeric roots ground to a fine powder, and mixed with few drops of honey and few teaspoons of bitter gourd juice, help in faster recovery from German measles.
Turmeric powder even when added in mud packs and applied to the abdomen, or other body parts help soothe the irritation caused by the outbreak of the rashes, accompanied by the infection.
Complications of Rubella
If rubella is not properly taken care of this syndrome can cause one or more problems, including:
- Cataracts
- Congenital heart defects
- Deafness
- Defects in other organs
- Growth retardation
- Mental retardation
