Rubella

Synonyms

3-Day measles; German measles

Definition

Rubella is a virus whose only natural host is humans. It is an RNA Rubivirus in the Togaviridae family. It is spread by droplets in the air and close contact. It infects a person through the respiratory tract and spreads to other sites in the body through the bloodstream. One-quarter to one-half of infected people are asymptomatic. Symptoms may occur 1–3 weeks after exposure. The infected person is contagious from 3 to 8 days before the typical rash appears and remains infectious for another 1–2 weeks. The rash itself starts on the face and spreads to the trunk and extremities lasting approximately 3 days. Symptoms of infection vary by age. The common symptoms experienced by children in addition to the rash are fever, chills, sore throat, headache, eye inflammation, and enlarged lymph nodes at the base of the skull (suboccipital). Adults and older children may also have joint and muscle pain, temporary problems with blood clotting...