Rubella is a mild disease that occurs most often in preschool and early school age. It is caused by the rubella virus, which is spread by droplets, contact, and the source of the infection is a sick person.
The incubation period of the rubella is usually 16-18 days, although it may be as long as 21 days. It is possible to vaccinate against rubella, which is compulsory vaccination. Vaccination up to 24 hours after contact with a sick person may protect against the disease.
Approximately 2 days before the appearance of the rash, malaise, headache, runny nose and conjunctivitis may appear – these symptoms are classified as heraldic symptoms. However, this period may not occur at all. Rubella is asymptomatic in some cases, but most often its main symptom is a rash. The rash is medium-macular, papular and pale pink in color. Rash is very rarely haemorrhagic. First, it most often appears on the face, and then within a dozen or so hours it spreads to the torso, then to the limbs. The rash leaves no traces. During the disease, the lymph nodes are enlarged, the most characteristic of which is the enlargement of the occipital and cervical nodes. Some children develop pharyngitis, liver enlargement, and spleen – but these are not permanent symptoms.
Complications of rubella are rare and include hemorrhagic diathesis, arthritis, encephalitis, and pneumonia. It is these diseases that require treatment with, for example, steroids, antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs.
It should also be remembered that rubella infection is very dangerous in the first stage of pregnancy. The fetus may then be damaged.