Rubella

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• Rubella is also called German measles. It is an illness that usually does not make people very sick. Some people who catch rubella have few or no signs of illness. Others break out with a rash that spreads from the head down to the toes and lasts for three to four days. In the past, young children often got rubella. Today, most children get MMR shots as part of their regular childhood immunization (disease protection) program. MMR shots are also called "Measles, Mumps, and Rubella" vaccinations. These shots are the best way to protect a person from getting rubella.
  
  
• If a pregnant woman catches rubella, her unborn baby could have birth defects. Birth defects are problems with the way a baby's body is formed. They can cause life-long health problems for the baby after he is born. Before a woman gets pregnant, she should ask her caregiver if she needs an MMR shot. An MMR shot will help prevent the mother and her unborn baby from getting rubella during the pregnancy.

What causes rubella? Rubella is caused by a germ called a virus. It may be spread to others who have not had MMR shots or a rubella infection in the past. The rubella virus is spread in the air by the coughing and sneezing of an infected person.

What are the signs and symptoms of rubella?

• Once you are exposed to rubella, it may take two to three weeks for signs and symptoms to appear. Your rubella infection may be so mild that you do not even know that you are sick. A young child's signs and symptoms may be low fever and rash of tiny, flat or slightly raised, pink-red spots. The rash starts on the face, and then spreads down the body toward the toes. It usually disappears in three to four days.
  
  
• Older children and adults often have more signs and symptoms of rubella. The rubella infection may begin with cold symptoms such as fever, coughing, runny nose, and sore throat. These may occur one to five days before you break out with a rash. Once the rash appears, the cold symptoms usually go away. You may also have one or more of the following:
  
  
  • Joint aches and pain.
    
    
  • Muscle aches or headaches.
    
    
  • Not hungry.
    
    
  • Sore, red eyes.
    
    
  • Swollen glands. These may feel like lumps on the back of the neck, ears, and head. Your glands may remain swollen up to one month after your rubella is gone.
    
    
  • Tired.

How is rubella treated?

• Rest: Rest as much as possible until you feel better.
  
  
• Drink extra liquids: Drink six to eight (8-ounce) cups of healthy liquids each day. Drinking liquids will help stop dehydration (losing too much body fluid). For most people, healthy liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. Limit the amount of caffeine in your diet. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, and in some soda pops and sport drinks and foods. Read the ingredient labels to learn if foods and drinks contain caffeine. While your child has rubella, give him at least one or two more cups of liquid than he usually drinks each day.
  
  
• Diet: Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (dry beans). Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose protein sources such as lean meat and poultry (chicken), fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Ask your caregiver how many servings of fats, oils, and sweets you may have each day, and if you need to be on a special diet.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This family of medicine is also called NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine may help decrease pain and inflammation (swelling). Some NSAIDs may also be used to decrease a high body temperature (fever). This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's Syndrome. This could lead to brain and liver damage. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.

How can I keep from spreading rubella to others?

• Stay away from others while you are contagious (able to spread rubella to others). You may be able to spread rubella seven days before the rash starts. You are also able to spread it for seven days after it disappears. Stay away from the following people during this time period:
  
  
  • Pregnant women. If you have been in contact with a pregnant woman while you have rubella, be sure to tell her. She should tell her caregiver that she has been exposed to rubella.
    
    
  • People who have never had MMR shots or a rubella infection in the past.
    
    
  • School and daycare centers. Keep your child home from school or day care for seven days after the rash first appeared. Call your child's school or daycare center to tell them that your child has rubella. Keep your child away from pregnant women if he has rubella.
  
  
• Get MMR shots. Children usually need two MMR shots to help prevent rubella. Adults may only need one MMR shot. A Rubella shot (only for protection against rubella) is also available. Women who get MMR shots should wait at least three months before getting pregnant. Do not get an MMR or Rubella shot while you are pregnant or think you are pregnant. Ask your caregiver and your child's caregiver if you and your child have had MMR shots in the past. To learn more about rubella and vaccinations, contact the following organization:
  • The National Immunization Program Public Inquiries
    1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-05
    Atlanta, GA 30333
    Phone: 1-800-232-4636
    Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
    

What are the risks of having rubella?

• Usually, rubella does not make people feel sick. However, it may cause joint pain and swelling. This may continue for a few weeks or longer, even after your rubella is gone. Rarely, rubella may cause swelling of the brain or bleeding. Rubella may cause a man to have inflammation and pain in his testicles. Testicles are the round organs in the sac of skin (scrotum) behind a man's penis.
  
  
• Rubella can cause serious problems while a woman is pregnant, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Rubella can cause birth defects such as deafness (cannot hear). It may cause a baby to have life-long problems (birth defects) with his eyes, heart, brain, or nerves. Rubella may also cause an unborn baby to die.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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