Rubella virus imageRubella also called German measles or three-day measles is a viral is a highly contagious viral infection. Mostly rubella attacks children, but it also affects adults if pregnant women are affected with the rubella virus it gets spread to the baby in the womb which is a very serious complication because the virus gets spread to the baby, and the baby may lead to death. If the baby is born problems such as hearing & vision loss or heart issues arise.

Are Rubella And Measles Same?

No, rubella and measles are not the same a few symptoms such as red rash are the same, but rubella and measles are caused by two different viruses. Measles is considered to be more severe than rubella and the risks and complications associated with measles are more when compared to rubella.

What are the symptoms of the rubella virus?

Rubella does not show symptoms in most individuals and it is a little bit complicated to detect the symptoms of rubella in children. Usually, the symptoms that are seen occur in between two to three weeks after getting diagnosed with the virus and they last for about one to five days. The symptoms of the rubella virus include:

Rubella virus symptoms image1)Fever.

2)Headache.

3)Runny nose and sore throat.

4)Red and itchy eyes.

5)The lymph nodes become enlarged or tender and are present at the base of the skull & neck and also behind the ears.

6)The main symptom of rubella is a red rash starting from the neck arms and even up to the legs.

7)A few young women experience pain in their joints.

News Trend Rubella virus:

“In Nabarangpur district of Odisha, symptoms of rubella virus were observed and 18 samples were sent for a test out of that two children it is, were detected positive after having symptoms such as fever and a red rash. Although it is not a complicated condition pregnant women need to be careful as it gets spread to the baby and may lead to severe complications as there is no exact cure for this virus.”

 

Now let's understand what causes rubella:

As mentioned above rubella is a viral infection that is caused by a virus called rubella(roo- BELL-uh). This is usually spread from one person to another when the healthy person gets in contact with an infected person. It can also get spread when the infected person coughs, sneezes and gets in touch with the rubella-infected person’s mucous from the nose and throat.

Diagnosing Rubella Virus:

Rubella virus Diagnosis Image

If you experience any symptoms of the rubella virus that are mentioned above then you need to consult with the doctor and the doctor will help you with certain diagnosing tests which include blood tests, urine tests, and mucous from the nose and throat are also tested. If you test positive for the rubella virus then the doctor will help you with the treatment procedure.

 

Treatment For Rubella Virus:

The infection is mostly mild and needs no treatment. Usually, doctors recommend acetaminophen and ibuprofen for the symptoms, and aspirin is restricted because it can lead to swelling in the brain and liver. Pregnant women have a higher risk as the virus may spread to the baby so pregnant women who are having the symptoms of rubella virus need to be careful and should consult with the doctor soon after they observe any symptoms. Also, the vaccine can protect against the rubella virus which is called Measles Mump Rubella which is given to babies aged 12-15 months and again at the age of 4-6 years.