An infection caused by the
rubella virus. Ninety per cent of pregnancies where the mother has suffered from
rubella in the first 8-10 weeks risk damage to the unborn
child.
Multiple defects are common
(deafness, blindness, brain and heart damage). The risk lowers to about 10 to
20% if the mother gets rubella at 16 weeks. The risk lessens the further
pregnant the woman is. However, there have been reports of defects up to 20
weeks. In others, rubella is a mild disease. Symptoms when present include
fever, headache, running nose, conjunctivitis, rash, swollen glands (especially
at the back of the neck) and joint pain. Symptoms, particularly joint pains, are
more severe in adults.
Rubella is diagnosed by a blood
test.
Rubella is spread directly by mucous membrane (lining of nose and
mouth) contact with infected airborne droplets from the nose and throat, and
indirectly by contact with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by infected
nose and throat discharges.
Incubation period
16-18 days with a range of
14-23 days.
Infectious period
Up to seven days before, and
four days after, appearance of the rash.
Control of spread
- Rubella is best prevented by
the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) combination vaccine. Two doses of MMR
vaccination are recommended (for both boys and girls), one at twelve months and
a booster between 4 to 5 years.
- All health care and child care
staff (men and women) should be tested for immunity to rubella and if necessary,
immunised.
- All pregnant women should be
tested for immunity to rubella prior to, or during early pregnancy. If found not
to be immune, vaccination is given after delivery of the baby but before
discharge from the maternity unit. Rubella vaccine should not be given to a
woman known to be pregnant and pregnancy should be avoided for 2 months after
vaccination.
- All pregnant women with
suspected rubella or exposure to rubella should seek specialist obstetric
advice, regardless of a history of rubella or rubella vaccination.
- Anyone with suspected rubella
should consult a doctor both to check that the diagnosis is correct and so that
contacts (particularly pregnant women) can be advised.
- A person with rubella should
be excluded from school or work until fully recovered or for at least four days
after the onset of the rash.
Treatment
Treatment of the symptoms
includes plenty of fluids and paracetamol, following the directions on the pack,
for any fever.
Rubella is a Notifiable
Disease.
Adapted from "You’ve got
What?" with the permission of the Department of Human Services, South
Australia.