Dorothy FarrarRubella (erythema infectiosum)
Rubella (erythema infectiosum) is one of the viral diseases that occur predominantly in children. Parvovirus B19 is called the causative agent of the disease; that pathogen is spread worldwide. There is currently no vaccine; direct prevention is therefore not possible.
What are rubella?
Rubella is caused by parvovirus B19. The disease occurs predominantly in school childhood or between the ages of 6 and 15. Characteristic of the disease is the exanthema (the rash). Sometimes patients also complain of headaches and joint pain; in some cases, high fever also occurs. The virus itself is transmitted by droplet infection (sneezing, coughing). The incubation period is usually 1 <>/<> weeks.
Causes
Rubella occurs as part of an infection with parvovirus B19, which comes from the family Parvoviridae. The virus is highly contagious and is transmitted by droplet infection, such as coughing or sneezing. The droplets are inhaled and subsequently enter the body. After that, the virus multiplies in the bone marrow and uses the endothelial cells for further multiplication.
Further infection is possible by means of a blood transfusion. However, this type of transmission is very rare. Sometimes rubella viruses can also be passed on directly to the unborn child during pregnancy – via the placenta. Ringed redness can cause serious pregnancy complications.
Symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of rubella (erythema infectiosum):
If the person concerned is suffering from rubella, symptoms do not always have to occur. Predominantly the affected person complains of a rash, which actually occurs only in two out of ten cases. For this reason, the virus often goes undetected. After infection, it takes about seven days or a maximum of two weeks until the virus actually breaks out. However, the patient is highly contagious even during the incubation period. In most cases, sufferers complain of fever, headaches and muscle pain.
The rubella or erythema infectiosum are relatively uncomplicated. For this reason, no extraordinary treatment or therapy is required. The rash, which is ultimately characteristic of the virus, subsides after a few weeks. After infection, the patient is immune to the pathogen; humans cannot contract rubella virus twice. The antibody that forms in the context of the disease is also recognizable years later in the blood count.
Diagnosis
The physician makes the diagnosis of rubella as part of the physical examination, since in many cases the rash can already be seen. If there is no corresponding rash, the physician can detect the virus in the blood. However, a detection of the virus is only possible from the 10th day of illness.
If there is an infection, so-called antibodies of the group anti-B19-IgM form in the blood. These antibodies are detectable in the blood even years after the patient was affected by the virus. If there is an illness during pregnancy, regular ultrasound examinations are performed. This is so that the doctor can check whether the unborn child is supplied with enough blood components or whether there is water retention.
Treatment and therapy
Therapy is only required in very few cases. However, if the patient complains of more severe complaints or pronounced symptoms (headache, high fever, etc.), any medication can alleviate the symptoms that have occurred. Especially in the case of very high fever and severe joint pain, it is advisable for the person concerned to comply with bed rest.
However, as a rule, the infection proceeds without complications, so strict medical supervision is not required. However, as with many other viral diseases, there is no drug that directly fights the virus. There are also no preventive vaccinations available. Thus, the physician can only alleviate or combat the symptoms and complaints. As part of the treatment, physicians repeatedly prescribe painkillers (such as paracetamol) or antihistamines against the itching that occurs.
Sometimes antipyretics can also be given. However, since the sick people are often children, care is taken when dispensing medication. However, it is different for pregnant women. If an illness is present during pregnancy, the focus is primarily on the unborn child.
In some cases, the unborn child receives blood transfusions that are directed into the heart. This not only eliminates any water retention, but also replaces missing blood components caused by the infection or supplies the unborn child with them. As a result, the pregnant woman must attend regular medical checks, during which ultrasound examinations of the unborn child are carried out.
Prevention
Prevention is only possible to a limited extent. This is because there is still no vaccine against parvovirus B19. Of course, hygiene is important (washing hands, etc.) and avoiding sick people. However, since children are usually affected by the virus and the spread often takes place at school, it is difficult to achieve direct prevention. Pregnant women, on the other hand, should avoid any contact with people who may have contracted the ringworm virus.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.