RUBELLA

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RUBELLA
aka. The German measles
Stephanie Mejia AP bio
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Rubella virus is the only member of the Rubivirus genus of the Togavirus family. Unlike most Togaviruses it is NOT arthropod-borne, but is acquired via the respiratory route
The virus was first described by German physicians in the mid-eighteen century hence German Measles
Before the vaccine to rubella was introduced in 1969, widespread outbreaks usually occurred every 6-9 years in the United States and 3-5 years in Europe, mostly affecting children in the 5-9 year old age group.

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Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
mild fever associated with a rash, runny nose and aches in the joints when it affects adults. When it effects fetuses the conditions are gruesome. The rash doesnt appear until 1 week prior to been infected.
The rash doesnt appear until 1 week prior to been infected.
Rubella virus specific IgM antibodies are present in people these antibodies can persist for over a year and a positive test result needs to be interpreted with caution.
Symptoms are usually treated with paracetamol until the disease has run its course. Treatment of newly born babies is focused on management of the complications. Congenital heart defects and cataracts can be corrected by surgery. Lifelong immunity to the disease follows infection, and there is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent rubella
if the mother is infected within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, the child may be born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which is a range of serious incurable illnesses.
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How is it Transmitted?

• Acquired, (i.e. not congenital), rubella
  is transmitted via airborne droplet emission from
  the upper respiratory tract of active cases. The
  virus may also be present in the urine, feces and
  on the skin. The disease has an incubation period
  of 2 to 3 weeks.

Immunizations are the best way to prevent this virus.
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Rubella in History

• In 1940, there was a widespread epidemic of
  rubella in Australia
• There was a pandemic of rubella between 1962 and
  1965, starting in Europe and spreading to the
  United States. In the years 1964-65, the United
  States had an estimated 12.5 million rubella
  cases. This led to 11,000 miscarriages or
  therapeutic abortions and 20,000 cases of
  congenital rubella syndrome. Of these, 2,100 died
  as neonates, 12,000 were deaf, 3,580 were blind
  and 1,800 were mentally retarded. In New York
  alone, CRS affected 1 of all births.
• In 1969 a live attenuated virus vaccine was
  licensed. In the early 1970s, a triple vaccine
  containing attenuated measles, mumps and rubella
  (MRS) viruses was introduced.