Rubella

Rubella is a contagious infection that can be determined by a rash on the skin. It previously observed in schoolchildren with occasional epidemic fluctuation but now rare in immunized population. Rubella is caused by a virus that is spread through the airborne droplet transmission or by close contact.

When invasion to the upper respiratory tract, it is followed by dissemination to skin, conjunctiva and mucous membranes, and proliferative hyperplasia in lymp node. The incubation period is 2.5 – 3 weeks and within 24-48 hours will followed by a discrete maculopapular generalized rash. The rash may last 5 days but is often fleeting and fades without straining or desquamation.

How to Diagnose
Rubella is diagnosed y the haemagglutination-inhibition and IgM test.

Complication
The complication of rubella are:

• Immune complex arthritis mainly in women
• Allergic encephalomyelitis that commonly 10-14 days after rubella
• Purpura that is caused by thrombocytopenia and vascular defect
• Congenital rubella syndrome

Treatment and Prevention
Most of rubella treatment is asymptomatic and non steroid anti-inflammatory agent may be given for rubella arthritis. On the other hand, the prevention can be done by giving vaccine measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) between 12 and 18 month of age