Rubella is a viral infection transmitted by airborne droplets (when coughing, talking, staying in the same room for a long time) and vertical (from mother to fetus). There are cases of infection by contact - through children's toys. Rubella disease affects only the human body, where it begins to multiply and is fixed in the lymph nodes, which begin to increase in the patient even before the rash on the skin. A sick person releases the virus a week before the rashes and a week after. As a result of the disease, immunity is developed, it is impossible for a person to get infected again.
How does the disease progress? What are the signs of rubella?
The latent period lasts 11-24 days, most often - 16-20 days. In the period of absence of rashes, the patient feels normal, signs of rubella do not appear visually, in some cases there is still a slight malaise, fatigue, as well as weakness a couple of days before the rash appears.
Body temperature is usually low-grade, does not exceed 38 ° C. In some cases, rubella symptoms appear as a slight runny nose, a sore throat. The rash on the first day of the disease appears most often on the face, after which it is observed on the trunk and limbs. The rash is similar to small spots, the diameter of which is approximately five to seven millimeters, a pinkish tint, do not rise above the surface of the skin. If you press on the spot, it disappears. Rashes, as a rule, most prevail in the area of extensor surfaces of the extremities, on the lower back, back (upper part), buttocks. On the body itself there is a much larger number than on the face. Rashes usually last about 2-3 days. Some patients have a dry cough and lacrimation. There may be larger than the accepted sizes and lymph nodes painfully felt during palpation, but still the most characteristic sign of rubella is a change in the larger side of the occipital and posterior cervical lymph nodes, which becomes noticeable a couple of days before the rash begins.
The disease in children is relatively easy. Signs of rubella in children: body temperature rises slightly, lymph nodes increase. The rash in the child does not merge, after three days passes.
Adults and adolescents suffer the disease very hard. The consequences of the disease in many cases are lesions of internal organs and joints. After the rubella, complications in the form of damage to the kidneys, brain and other organs are recorded. For a pregnant woman, infection with the infection can cause stillbirth, premature birth, the birth of a child with congenital rubella syndrome (malformations). Such children are not cured and remain disabled forever. Among the disorders there are congenital defects of the heart, organs of vision, hearing, mental maldevelopment, speech disorder, impaired coordination of movements.
Rubella in adults. Treatment
Rubella treatment in adults does not require hospitalization and is carried out independently at home, but under the supervision of a physician. Untimely initiation of treatment in some cases can lead to inflammatory processes in the brain. During the rash, you must adhere to bed rest and remain calm. The patient needs a plentiful drink. In some cases, symptomatic treatment therapy is prescribed. Special treatment for the normal course of the disease is not required.
If complications arise (rubella encephalitis, arthritis), immediate hospitalization is indicated.
Rubella vaccination is included in the vaccination schedule. The vaccine is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly for the first time in 12-15 months, and then again in 6 years. Specific immunity is formed after 15-20 days in almost all vaccinated people and persists for about 20 years.