Rubella is a disease characteristic of children. In this group of persons, it passes quite easily and in most cases does not cause negative consequences. It affects the causative agent of infection and adults. However, in adults it has a more serious form, is accompanied by pronounced signs of malaise, sometimes entails various complications. The methods of infection, the symptoms of this disease, its treatment and prevention are described in the article.
Virus features
Rubella in adults, as well as in children, is characterized by the appearance of rashes of a raspberry shade on the surface of the body. The infection is transmitted a few days after infection of the carrier.
The microorganism that causes this disease is a threat only to humans.
Thanks to the rough shell, the virus joins the cells. After that, it can have a negative effect on the body.
The life of the pathogen stops as a result of the influence of ultraviolet rays. An infected person passes the disease to others. Sometimes the patient does not even know that viruses multiply in his body. The spread of microorganisms occurs when coughing, talking, sneezing, from the expectant mother to the baby (through the circulatory system).
The incubation period of rubella in adults is approximately ten days.
After the occurrence of characteristic rashes, a person poses a danger to others for several weeks. No cases of re-development of the infection were observed.
In spring and summer, when the air has a high temperature and humidity, many patients with a similar disease come to doctors.
Rash features
A characteristic feature of this phenomenon is the appearance on the entire surface of the human body of spots of bright crimson color. What does rubella look like in adults? Unlike the childhood form of the disease, it proceeds with the formation of areas that almost do not rise above the upper layer of the skin. First, the rash covers the face and neck, then the limbs, thighs and pelvis. Spots with this disease almost do not cause concern. However, if there is a pronounced feeling of itching, you need to do an examination to exclude the presence of other health problems.
Affected areas of the skin can connect with each other. Usually this symptom lasts for seven days. Spots are formed by gluing red blood cells under the influence of a virus.
Types of disease
With rubella, symptoms in adults begin between 10 and 25 days after infection has entered the body. Until this time, the patient does not notice a deterioration in health. The ailment proceeds in various forms. Among its varieties, the following can be listed:
- Typical (vivid symptoms, rather slow recovery).
- Atypical (the disease manifests itself weakly, responds well to treatment, the person is recovering soon).
In addition, in some cases, the infection can cause complications, in others it can pass almost without a trace. That is, it does not cause particular harm to the patient's body.
With rubella, symptoms in adults are mild, moderate, and severe.
Characteristic manifestations of the disease
Most often, even before the appearance of spots on the skin, a person's temperature rises significantly. It can reach 40 degrees Celsius. Patients who are susceptible to fever are quite difficult to relieve fever.
Two days later, there is a noticeable increase in the lymph glands under the armpits, on the neck or in several places at once. Signs of rubella in adults include pain in the head. They resemble hemicranium and are not influenced by drugs. Patients also lose their craving for food, experience nausea. This is due to poisoning of the body due to the presence of viruses. If you use a sufficient amount of fluid, you can remove this symptom.
Rubella is often characterized by symptoms typical of respiratory infections. A person has nasal congestion, discomfort in the throat, muscles, bones. In addition, the eyes are irritated by the bright rays of light, redden and strongly fester (especially in the morning). When spots appear on the skin, the feeling of nausea may intensify, and joint inflammation sometimes begins.
Since the above phenomena are observed with influenza, SARS, colds, and other ailments, rubella can be determined at the beginning of its development only with the help of a doctor. Therefore, seeking medical help is not recommended to be postponed.
Danger of infection for the expectant mother
In the event of rubella in adults, pregnant women are very anxious.
And it is justified. The causative agent has a negative effect on the organs and systems of the fetus, which have just begun to develop. Many children who have experienced the influence of microorganisms suffer from serious defects in the body and psyche. Some babies are born dead.
If the future mother was in the same room with the patient and communicated with him, she needs to pass a laboratory blood test. In cases where the woman’s immune system is resistant to the pathogen, nothing threatens the fetus. However, if there is a serious danger, the doctor usually advises an abortion. Most often, such a measure is recommended in the early stages. Indeed, it is during this period that the child is most vulnerable. If the fetus has been in the mother’s body for a long time, there is a chance to save the future life. A woman is given an injection of a medicine that improves the work of the body's defenses.
How to identify the disease?
To detect rubella in adults in a medical institution, the following measures are taken:
- Conversation with the patient, assessment of his overall appearance and well-being. The main thing is to determine whether rashes on the face and body are characteristic of such an ailment.
- Examination of a person by a neurologist. It is necessary to identify disorders of muscle tone and the degree of sensitivity of the skin.
- Several types of laboratory blood tests. These activities are carried out twice.
- A study using a computer (assigned for a detailed examination of the brain in case of development of complications affecting the central nervous system).
Rubella disease in adults, the characteristic signs of this disease, are similar to the symptoms of measles, intestinal infections, mumps, as well as hypersensitivity to certain products or substances.
Patient care
Treatment involves the use of medications that relieve malaise. The doctor makes a selection of funds based on the form and nature of the course of the disease and the characteristics inherent in the patient (age category, state of health). Recommended medications that lower the temperature, and those that inhibit the development of viruses, enhance the body's defense systems. Drops will help reduce eye inflammation. The feeling of muscle pain is also alleviated by special means.
How to treat rubella in adults with a runny nose and discomfort in the throat? The release of mucus from the nasal passages will stop the drops. To combat cough, it is recommended to use syrups.
If the patient has excessively enlarged lymphatic glands, he is prescribed procedures using electromagnetic waves.
Many drugs can cause intolerance and worsen the course of chronic ailments. Therefore, the doctor should be especially careful when choosing them.
The use of healing herbs
Rubella symptoms in adults can be alleviated with herbal decoction. For treatment, it is recommended to use infusions of linden flowers, rosehip berries, lingonberries, black currants. Rhizomes of the marshmallow and licorice contribute to the fight against a wet cough. The preparation of such mixtures requires strict proportions.
Patients are also advised to include small doses of honey in the diet. However, this substance is permissible only in the absence of its intolerance.
Means made from medicinal plants should only be auxiliary to medicines.
How to avoid deterioration?
Patients need to drink enough warm liquid. It is important to take vitamin supplements, relax a lot, and provide yourself with a healthy sleep. Knowing how long rubella lasts in adults, it is recommended that you place the person in an isolated room, as he is able to transmit viruses to others. With a mild form of infection, its treatment is carried out at home. However, if complications develop and the condition worsens, the patient should be in a hospital ward. Doctors should constantly monitor his well-being.
Diet features
A person suffering from symptoms of infection needs to make sure that enough beneficial substances enter his body. Food is divided into 6-7 small meals. Food should always be fresh and easily digestible.
Doctors advise eliminating spices, fried foods, pork, smoked products, cakes, pastries, marinades. The diet includes skinny varieties of fish and soups from it, low-fat types of meat, jellied dishes, kefir, as well as cereals. A diet of this kind helps to cope with the symptoms of poisoning caused by the disease.
Vaccine
This exercise is a way to prevent infection. If a person has never in his life experienced infection with this pathogen, he needs to be vaccinated.
Knowing the answer to the question of whether adults suffer from rubella, it is important to note that such a procedure will help protect yourself. This applies primarily to pregnant women, since the consequences of the activity of microorganisms are fatal to the fetus. In the case when the expectant mother was next to the infected person, she should be examined. If there is a threat, doctors take action.
The vaccine from this disease is prohibited for women who are carrying a baby and breastfeeding, people 39 and older, patients with tumors (during treatment with serious medications), and also those who suffer from a significant decrease in immunity.
Rubella vaccine when done as an adult? It is placed at the age of 1 year, 6 years. Repeatedly, the drug is administered to adolescents and adults 15-17, 25-27. Those who plan to become a mother need to get a vaccine three months before conception. It is advisable to undergo this procedure not only for women, but also for girls.
Possible consequences
Timely and proper use of medicines, doctor's advice, good nutrition and rest can reduce the risk of complications. However, there are patients who neglect treatment. Among other ailments that occur during rubella, you can list the following:
- Inflammation of the meninges as a result of microbial activity. The disease causes respiratory disorders, disorders of the nervous system. Sometimes severe cases occur. In this case, the ailment can end with a coma or the termination of the patient's life.
- Inflammation of the respiratory system. Appears due to other infections attached to rubella.
- Otitis. This condition can cause hearing loss.
- Inflammatory joint changes.In the case of this disease, a person has a feeling of limited mobility of certain parts of the body. Perhaps a feeling of severe discomfort, swelling. Arthritis is found in people of different age groups. That is, children, youths, and adults suffer from it.
- Bodily and mental disorders in infants associated with a future mother’s infection (lack of hearing, vision, backwardness).
Fortunately, awareness of the increasing incidence of rubella in a particular area, avoiding close contact with its carriers, and regular visits to the doctor for vaccination can avoid such serious consequences.