Rubella

Rubella- viral infection characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions

Rubella Virus

Spherical virus (55-70nm), enevelope, 5 protien coding genes

Humans

Respiratory Tract

Aerosol respiratory secretions, direct contact (w/contaminated body fluids), Vertical

7 days before symptoms occur- 7 days after rash appears

12-23 days

Virus infects the respiratory tract and spreads to the rest of the body (espically skin, lungs, and brain) via the lymphatic system, Immune response in the skin causes rash. Damage to tissue can result in secondary infection and pneumonia

Reddish-purple spots start on face and spreads towards feet (3 day rash), swollen lymph nodes, mild pink eye, mild flu symptoms, mild fever, cough, runny nose, headache, arthalgia, koplik spots (on mucosa in black of mouth)

20-50%

It is a Teratogen

1 in 4 hospitalized, morality 1-2:1000, Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), Miscarriage, arthritis, encephalitis, thrombocytopenia

Birth defects, hearing loss, heart complications, mental retardation, vision problems (glaucoma, strabismus, etc), adult onset diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, growth hormone deficiency, 1/3 chance of dying before age 1

Vaccination- MMRV- adminstered at age 1-5

Supportive care, no known effective antivirals, immunoglobulin