Rubella, also known as German measles, is a mild childhood infection caused by the rubella virus. It is typically a mild disease lasting 1-3 days, though infection during pregnancy can cause serious complications for the fetus. The virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets. Diagnosis is made through virus isolation or serological tests. There is no specific treatment, though vaccination provides effective prevention.

1. RUBELLA

2. INDEX
Definition
Epidemiological determinants
Modes of transmission
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Preventive measures

3. DEFINITION
Rubella is also known
as German measles or
three day measles is an
acute childhood infection
caused by “Rubella virus”.

4. Cont……
The name “Rubella” was derived from
Latin meaning little red. Rubella is also known
as German measles because the disease was
first described by German physician in the
mild-eighteen century. This disease is often
mild and attacks often passed unnoticed..

5.  This disease can last one to three days. Children
recover more quickly than adults. Infection of the
mother by Rubella virus during pregnancy can be
serious; if the mother is infected within the first 20
weeks of pregnancy. Rubella is relatively trivial
infection

6. Epidemiological determinants
The epidemiological determinants are;
Agent factors
Host factors
Environmental factors

7. 1. Agent factors;
Agent;
Rubella is caused by an RNA virus of the
toga virus family. Only one type of virus seems to
exist. The virus has been recovered from the
nasopharynx, throat, blood, csf and urine.

8. Source of infection;
Clinical and sub clinical cases of rubella.
A large number of rubella infections are, in fact, sub
clinical. This represents one of the major difference
between measles and rubella. There is no known
carrier state for post natally acquired rubella. The
vaccine virus is not communicable.


9. Cont…….
Period of communicability;
Rubella is much less communicable
than measles, probably because of the
absence of coughing in rubella. It is difficult
to state the exact period of infectivity. It
probably extends week before symptoms to
about a week after rash appears. Infectivity
is greatest when the rash is erupting.

10. 2. Host factors;
AGE;
Mainly a disease of childhood
particularly, in the age group 3-10
years. Person older than 15 years
now account for over 70% cases in
developed countries.

11. Immunity;
One attack resulting in life long
immunity, second attack are rare. Infants of
immune mothers are protected from 4-6
months. It is estimated that 10-40%
population could reach adulthood without
experiencing rubella infection in the absence
of immunization

12. 3.Environmental factors;
Disease usually occur in a
seasonal pattern i.e. temperate zones.
During the late winter and springs with
epidemics every 4-9 years.

13. Modes of transmission;
Person-person;
Droplets from nose and throat and
droplet nuclei, from one week before
onset of rash to one week after it has
faded.

14. The portal of entry is via the respiratory
route.

15. Signs and symptoms
Rubella has symptoms that are similar
to flu. In typical case, the clinical features
comprise the following;
A.Prodromal;
The prodromal symptoms are;
1.Low grade fever
2.Sore throat
3.Coryza

16. B.Lymphadenopathy;
Enlargement of the post auricular and
posterior cervical lymph nodes.
C. Rash;
 First indication of disease in children
 Appears first on face, within 24 hours of
onset prodromal symptoms.
 Conjunctivitis may occur
 Rash spreads rapidly to trunk and
extremities
 Disappear altogether by 3rd day and is
inconstant feature disease.

17. D.Complications;
In rare instances arthralgia may
occur in several joints in adults, specially
in young woman. Encephalitis is very
rare. Thrombocytopenic purpura is also
observed.

18. diagnosis
Because of its mildness and variability
of symptoms,the disease can go
unrecognized unless it is an epidemic. A
definitive diagnosis of rubella is only
possible through the;
1.Virus isolation(throat swabs should be
cultured).
2. Serological test

19. Treatment
 There is no specific treatment of rubella.
Management is a matter of responding to
symptoms to diminish discomfort.

20. Preventive measures
The preventive measures for rubella are;
Exclude the people with rubella from childcare,
preschool, school and work until fully recovered.
Rubella is best prevented by the measles, mumps
and rubella(MMR).

21. Vaccination after exposure will not
prevent infection.
All the health care and childcare staff
should be tested for immunity to rubella
and if not immune, should be minimized

22. Rubella is also prevented by active
immunization programme.
 The goal is to prevent rubella infection during a
future pregnancy.
 Who recommended that children receive the
MMR vaccine between ;
a.12-15 months
b. Again between 4 and 6 years of age before
entering school.

23. Usually, babies are protected from rubella
for 6-8 months after birth.
If a child requires protection from rubella
before 12 months of age then the vaccine
can be given as early as 6 months of age.

24.  Children who are vaccinated early still
need to be vaccinated at the
recommended ages later.