Rubella is generally a minor viral infection caused due to togavirus, which is a type of virus. It is commonly found in children and young adults. Also known as German measles or three-day measles, it usually gets better within 10 days after contraction without any dedicated treatment.
How to tackle rubella at home?
Although there is no proper treatment for rubella, you could try these remedies at home. The symptoms, which are usually mild, subside from 7 to 10 days.
- Dehydration could be a frequent condition when suffering from rubella. Hence, drink plenty of water and fluids to keep yourself hydrated
- Other conditions could be joint and muscle pain. To release these pains, you can take help of some painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol (use liquid forms for children). Acetaminophen is effective against fever caused due to rubella
- Rashes could be a symptom which needs little or less attention. You need to be patient and not fidget/agitate the rashes, if any, until they disappear within a few days
- Since rubella is infectious, you need to take effort to restrain contact with other people, especially pregnant females. Note that the disease is infectious and you could infect other people in 5 days after the rashes develop on your body and about a week before
Is immunization necessary?
Yes! A complete program of MMR immunizations must be administered to every child at the right age. This will immunize the child against rubella and other related diseases. If you are planning to become pregnant, it is recommended that you check your immunity level before. You could order a simple blood test to check your immunity to rubella. Rubella attack could take a toll on your immunity level even though you have been healed from it. It is, therefore, wise to be immunized before being conceived.
How it spreads?
Rubella is generally spread though infected moisture droplets of an infected individual via sneeze, cough, or communication. Throat, nose, and mouth are chief gateways through which the disease gets publicized. When a person gets in contact with the infected droplets, you could contract the disease and develop symptoms within 2-3 weeks – which is the incubation period. Infected people are advised to maintain distance with colleagues or family members, especially pregnant women or expecting women.
What about congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)?
Ever since the MMR vaccine was introduced, rubella cases in children have been drastically decreased. However, pregnant women who contract the disease could risk their unborn child leading to birth defects such as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) including miscarriage.
Here are the possible problems that could cause in an unborn baby due to CRS:
- Deafness
- Cataracts including other eye disorders
- Undeveloped brain causing smaller size of the head
- Impairment in the lungs, bone marrow, or liver
- Congenital heart disease
- Slower growth in the womb
What are the signs?
- Bloodshot eyes or inflammation of the eyes
- Bruising (uncommon)
- Joint or muscle ache
- Running nose
- Malaise (general uneasiness)
- Headache
- Fever (102 F)
- Tiredness
- Red-pink rash (arms, legs, face, and trunk)
- Tender and enlarged lymph nodes at the back, neck, and skull area
- Loss of appetite
When to seek medical advice?
It is always advisable to contact your local doctor if there is a suspicion of rubella. Proper diagnosis of the disease is important to understand whether it’s just rubella or a symptom of an underlying condition. Remember to inform the doctor on prior basis, so that he can make arrangements to avoid the risk of spreading the disease to other patients, especially pregnant women. The local heath consultants could also be informed to track the spread of the disease in case of an outbreak.
