rubella/german measles

• Rubella/ German measles

  • Prodromal phase: Catarrhal symptoms e.g. fever, malaise, swollen lymph glands at back of neck
  • Rash Phase: After 7 days a macular rash appears on the face that spreads to trunk and limbs
  • Rash will blanch on pressing on it
  • The spots do not become confluent (merge together/ flowing) like in measles
  • Swollen glands may persist (behind the ears)
  • In adults rubella may be associated with painful joints
• Incubation period of rubella

  14-21 days
• Refer in rubella? : Pregnant women
• Treatment

  1. Paracetamol liquid

  2. Ibuprofen liquid
• Counselling in rubella?

  
  

  • keep hydrated
  • Rubella is less contagious than measles, people can suffer from mild symptoms without having it diagnosed
  • Rubella can cause serious complications in unborn babies whose mothers become infected during pregnancy
  • keep child off school about 6 days after the rash appears
• Rubella vs Measles

  Similarities: both viral, contagious, fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes.

  
  

  Differences: Rubella affects adults/older children, milder course, fewer complications.

  
  

  Measles caused by Morbillivirus, affects young children, more severe complications.
• Rubella


  Diagnosis?