Introduction
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a very easily spread (contagious) viral infection. The infection causes a low fever and pinkish rash. In children, the infection is usually mild and goes away on its own.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by a virus. The virus is spread in droplets that are sprayed when a contagious person talks, sneezes, or coughs. A person with rubella is contagious from about 1 week before the rash appears until about 1 week after it goes away.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to occur in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years old.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms usually appear 2–3 weeks after your child is exposed to the virus. The most common symptoms are:
A pinkish rash. …show more content…
Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome. Do not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months old.
Ask your child’s health care provider when your child may return to school or day care. Usually, your child will be allowed to return to school or day care 1 week after your child's rash completely goes away.
If your child comes in contact with a pregnant woman, notify her that your child has rubella so she may tell her health care provider. If a pregnant woman is exposed to the infection during her first trimester of pregnancy, the infection can cause severe birth defects in her baby.
How is this prevented?
Rubella can be prevented by vaccination. All children should receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vaccine requires two doses, one given at 12–15 months of age and the other given at 4–6 years of age.
A combination vaccine called measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine is also available.
Contact a health care provider if:
Your child's fever lasts more than 5 days.
Your child's rash becomes itchy.
Get help right away if:
Your child seems
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a very easily spread (contagious) viral infection. The infection causes a low fever and pinkish rash. In children, the infection is usually mild and goes away on its own.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by a virus. The virus is spread in droplets that are sprayed when a contagious person talks, sneezes, or coughs. A person with rubella is contagious from about 1 week before the rash appears until about 1 week after it goes away.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to occur in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years old.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms usually appear 2–3 weeks after your child is exposed to the virus. The most common symptoms are:
A pinkish rash. …show more content…
Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome. Do not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months old.
Ask your child’s health care provider when your child may return to school or day care. Usually, your child will be allowed to return to school or day care 1 week after your child's rash completely goes away.
If your child comes in contact with a pregnant woman, notify her that your child has rubella so she may tell her health care provider. If a pregnant woman is exposed to the infection during her first trimester of pregnancy, the infection can cause severe birth defects in her baby.
How is this prevented?
Rubella can be prevented by vaccination. All children should receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vaccine requires two doses, one given at 12–15 months of age and the other given at 4–6 years of age.
A combination vaccine called measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine is also available.
Contact a health care provider if:
Your child's fever lasts more than 5 days.
Your child's rash becomes itchy.
Get help right away if:
Your child seems