Rubella is a childhood disease. Although there have been no more cases registered in Covasna county since 2013, according to the County Directorate of Public Health (DSP), the representatives of the County Emergency Hospital (SJU) “Dr. Fogolyán Kristóf” from Sfântu Gheorghe transmitted information about this disease in the latest episode of the “Good to know!” series, which includes recommendations and advice on various topics of major interest.
Rubella is a contagious disease caused by a virus that, during the illness, can be found in nasopharyngeal secretions, blood, feces and urine. The rubella virus multiplies in the respiratory cells, spreading throughout the body and causing the rash. It is transmitted by coughing, sneezing, talking or touching contaminated objects.
“Rubella is an acute, viral infectious disease. The pathogen, which contains an RNA nucleotide with a size of 40-80 nm, belongs to the Togaviridae family. The virus has a low resistance in the open air. During the disease, it can be detected in nasopharyngeal secretions, blood, feces and urine. Fortunately, there have been no more cases of rubella in Covasna County since 2013, according to the County Public Health Directorate. The rubella virus, which multiplies in the cells of the respiratory tract, floods the body (primary viremia). Cells that are secondarily infected later die, and the virus re-enters the circulation (secondary viremia). This is when specific antibodies appear in the blood and may play a role in triggering the rash. Man is the only natural host of the virus. The infection is transmitted through contaminated secretions emitted during talking, coughing and sneezing, through contact with recently contaminated objects (improperly sanitized crockery or cutlery, frequently touched surfaces) or transplacentally, during pregnancy. In the absence of vaccination, the disease occurs sporadically, especially in the spring, with epidemics every 4-6 years, especially in children between the ages of 3 and 10. Failure to comply with the vaccination indication involves the risk of transmission of the virus to the fetus, leading to complications and the development of severe malformations at birth, such as: heart problems, intellectual retardation or liver damage,” reads the post “Good to know!” shared on Facebook.
The incubation period for rubella is 2-3 weeks without symptoms of the disease. Then there is the rash, a mild fever, headache and swelling of the lymph nodes in the area of the head, ears and neck.
“Usually the first symptom to appear is a red or pink rash, followed by mild fever, headache and sweating, with little or no effect on the general condition. Another symptom is the swelling of the lymph nodes in the area of the head, ears and neck, which is not specific to other eruptive diseases. It disappears after a week. Sometimes, a pinprick-sized, prick-like enanthema appears on the soft palate. Pain in the small joints before the appearance of the rash (especially in older children and adults)”, explain the representatives of the hospital.
The rash starts on the face and quickly spreads to the trunk and limbs.
“The rubeola rash has a maculo-papular appearance, pink in color, it first appears in the face area. From here, it spreads rapidly to the trunk and limbs (24 hours). The evolution is so rapid that the next day the rash may begin to fade on the face. Thus, eruptive elements are visible all over the body at the same time only in case of a strong eruption. After 2-4 days, the rash disappears, with a barely perceptible flaking,” the same source writes.
In some cases, eruptions may also occur in the mouth, and older children and adults may experience pain in the small joints.
It is important to note that symptoms can vary. Some infected people may have mild forms of the disease or may be asymptomatic. Usually, healthy children go through a mild form of rubella. People can be contagious for several days before the onset of the rash and up to several days after it.
Prevention of rubella it is done by vaccination. The rubella vaccine is part of the national immunization schedule for children and is often given together with the mumps and measles vaccines in the form of the MMR (rubella, mumps, measles) vaccine. This vaccine is safe and effective in preventing rubella. Vaccination is also recommended for certain categories of adults, especially for women who may become pregnant.
“In Romania, currently, children must receive two doses of MMR vaccine – the first, at 12 months, and the second, at 5 years. In special situations, MMR can be given to infants starting at 9 months of age (for example, if infants come into contact with susceptible pregnant women, they should be immunized). It is recommended that adolescents and adults are also up to date with the MMR vaccination. People who receive two doses of the MMR vaccine in childhood, according to the national vaccination program, acquire protection for life”, notes reginamaria.ro.
Vaccination is therefore essential for individual protection. This will also prevent the transmission of the virus in the community and protect vulnerable people such as pregnant women and newborns.
Photo source: Facebook/ County Emergency Hospital “Dr. Fogolyán Kristóf” Sfântu Gheorghe
2023-11-20 03:06:50
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