How to identify rubella in adults. How rubella manifests itself in children - the main symptoms and methods of treatment. Nonspecific signs of rubella

One of the most common viral infections, occurring mainly in childhood, is rubella. it viral disease, which in most cases proceeds in a mild form, accompanied by a short-term increase in body temperature, small rash, enlargement of all lymph nodes. Rubella most often affects children of early and preschool age, the so-called risk group - from 1 year to 7 years. Older children get sick much less frequently. What are the first signs incubation period, as well as how to treat the disease - we will consider further.

What is rubella?

Rubella in children is a disease belonging to a group of infectious, viral nature, the main symptoms of which are fever, a widespread small punctate rash on the body and catarrhal phenomena on the side of the respiratory organs.

The rubella virus tolerates freezing well, for several hours it retains its aggressiveness when room temperature, quickly perishes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, heating and disinfectants.

Factors that destroy the rubella virus:

drying;
the action of acids and alkalis (the virus is destroyed when the pH decreases less than 6.8 and increases more than 8.0);
action of ultraviolet radiation;
the action of ethers;
action of formalin;
action of disinfectants.

Transmission routes

A person can only get rubella from another person. The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets(the virus enters the air from the mucous membrane respiratory organs a sick person and then inhaled by a healthy person). Most of cases of infection occurs in the incubation period, when the virus has already settled in the body, but has not yet manifested itself as external signs.

Rubella transmission routes:

Airborne;
Transplacental (especially in the first trimester of pregnancy);
In young children, the virus can be passed from mouth to mouth through toys.

The carrier of Rubella virus poses a danger to others from the second half of the incubation period: a week before the rash and a week after.

The risk of morbidity is high for those who have never been ill and have not been vaccinated; children 2-9 years old fall under this category of people. Outbreaks of morbidity are characterized by seasonality - winter-spring. Epidemic outbreaks recur every 10 years. After the disease, a stable lifelong immunity is formed, but according to some reports, re-infection is still possible.

When released into the external environment, the microorganism retains its aggressive properties for 5-8 hours, depending on the dryness and temperature of the air.

Incubation period

The incubation period for rubella is from 10 days to 25. It is believed that children in whom the disease occurs without any manifestations or with mild severe symptoms, are more powerful sources of infection than children with clear signs infections.

A baby can get rubella if he has been in contact with:

infected people who have all the characteristic symptoms;
sick atypical form diseases (with an uncharacteristic course of rubella, a rash may be completely absent, and many other signs);
infants who are diagnosed with a congenital form of the disease (in such children, the virus in the body can multiply for 1.5 years).

Typical symptoms of the disease are noticeable at the end of the incubation period.

How does rubella begin: the first signs in a child

Signs of rubella in children often resemble and largely due to the nature of the rash. Red spots appear rapidly, quickly cover the entire surface of the body. The first are localized on the neck, face, head, and then spread to the back, buttocks, and the surface of the limbs.

How rubella starts:

First, the following symptoms appear: nasal congestion, sore throat, weakness, drowsiness, temperature.
Further, increased The lymph nodes and their swelling. Pain is noted on palpation.
Most characteristic symptom at diagnosis - red spots.

Flow infectious process rubella in children is divided into several periods:

incubation (from the moment the infection enters the human body to the development initial symptoms diseases);
period of precursors (prodromal);
rash period;
convalescence (recovery).

What rubella looks like: photos of children with a rash

Not all parents know how rubella manifests itself and looks like, and they often confuse this disease with a typical cold or acute respiratory disease. But it is necessary to carefully diagnose each such case and take measures to prevent the complications of infection, which can affect the structures of the brain, nerve fiber, spinal cord and connective tissue. Especially often the walls of small blood vessels are affected.

Rubella rash in children is localized around the ears, on the cheeks, in the region of the nasolabial triangle, on the neck. After 1 - 2 days, the elements spread throughout the body from top to bottom, and after 3 days they turn pale and begin to disappear. Rashes never capture the skin of the palms and feet, but are most disturbed on inner surface thighs, outer forearms, buttocks.

Rubella symptoms in children

From the moment of infection with rubella to the appearance of the first symptoms, an incubation period passes, which lasts 11-24 days (in most patients - 16-20 days). At this time, the virus enters the cells of the respiratory mucosa, and from there into the bloodstream, spreads with the bloodstream throughout the body, multiplies and accumulates.

In the incubation period, rubella manifests itself as follows:

the temperature rises (slightly);
weakness;
conjunctivitis;
throat pain;
runny nose;
enlarged lymph nodes;
the final symptom is the appearance of a rash.

After 1–1.5 days, there is a sharp pain in the back of the neck, the lymph nodes in this area become motionless and dense, up to 1 cm in diameter. May be observed:

Children have the following symptoms:

body temperature rises to 38 ° C and lasts 2 days;
a slight increase and slight soreness of the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes;
redness of the throat;
slight runny nose;
conjunctivitis.

Skin rashes with rubella (exanthema) appear first on the face, neck and behind the ear, after which it quickly spreads down the body. This process goes quickly, so sometimes it seems that the rash appeared simultaneously on the whole body.

The highest concentration of elements is observed on the back, buttocks and extensor surfaces of the limbs. The rash can be all over the body, but in other localizations it is more scarce. The rash usually does not itch.

If the children are older, there may be complaints to parents about pain in the area of \u200b\u200bmuscles, joints, rashes initially manifest themselves in the face, but then a rash on the body starts, spreading over the limbs, trunk, and scalp.

The period of rashes lasts on average from 3 to 7 days. Then the child's condition noticeably improves, appetite returns, cough and sore throat disappear, nasal breathing is facilitated. The size and density of the lymph nodes returns to normal 14-18 days after the disappearance of the rash.

Complications

Complications of rubella, as a rule, are detected in its severe course and are most often represented by the following pathologies:

Connecting a secondary bacterial infection(pneumonia, otitis);
Serous meningitis or encephalitis characterized by relatively favorable course (this complication may develop on days 4-7 of illness);
thrombocytopenic purpura;
Intrauterine fetal death;
Congenital malformations.

The cause of complications is severe course rubella, lack of treatment, non-compliance medical appointments, joining secondary infection bacterial nature on the background of reduced immunity.

Diagnostics

With the development or only suspicion of infection with rubella, you should immediately contact a doctor such as an infectious disease specialist.

Even knowing how rubella manifests itself in children, it is not always possible to unambiguously determine this infection. Considering that the most "talking" symptom - a rash - appears towards the end of the disease, it is necessary to establish a diagnosis based on the anamnesis, data on the epidemiological situation and laboratory tests.

The diagnostic study includes the following laboratory tests:

Complete blood count (elevated ESR, lymphocytosis, leukopenia, possibly detecting plasma cells).
Serological examination of nasal mucus (RSK, RIA, ELISA, RTGA).
Determination of the concentration of antiviral immunoglobulins.

Diseases similar in symptoms to rubella:

adenovirus infection - a cold disease in which the lymph nodes increase;
enterovirus infection: enteroviruses can infect the intestines (acute intestinal infection), respiratory system(pneumonia, colds), skin and lymph nodes;
measles is a viral disease that also manifests itself in the form of a rash on the skin;
infectious - a viral disease in which there are signs of a cold, increase in the lymph nodes, liver, spleen;
- fungal disease in which spots appear on the skin;
hives - an allergic reaction in which red spots appear on the skin;
infectious erythema - red skin rash, which can occur in some patients with any infectious disease.

Rubella treatment

Special medicines, which could directly affect the virus, namely rubella, has not been developed. The disease usually occurs in mild form and the child's body, in the absence of complications, copes well with the disease itself.

An important aspect is only the observance of bed rest, abundant drinking regime, for the speedy removal of pathogen toxins from the body, as well as the appointment of drugs that help eliminate the symptoms that occur.

Specific treatment has not been developed, so they use:

bed rest within 3-7 days;
full nutrition, taking into account age characteristics;
Etiotropic therapy with the use of viracides (arbidol, isoprinosine), immunomodulators (interferon, viferon) and immunostimulants (cycloferon, anaferon).
detoxification therapy - drinking plenty of water;
Askorutin 500 mg three times a day (replenishing vitamin deficiency).
Temperature, headache, body aches are relieved by antispasmodics and children's anti-inflammatory drugs: Paracetamol, No-shpa, Nurofen.
symptomatic therapy (expectorants - a certain group is used for certain character cough, i.e. you can not use expectorants and antitussives at the same time), mucolytics, antipyretics, analgesics).

Medications are prescribed to prevent complications and relieve symptoms

Rubella treatment in a hospital is required if the child develops convulsive syndrome and there are signs of infection spreading across the blood-brain barrier. In this case, the disease is a threat to the health and life of the child.

Principles of rubella treatment in children under 1 year old:

treatment only in the condition of the infectious diseases department for the entire period of rashes and contagiousness, for constant monitoring of the child by medical personnel;
in some cases, detoxification therapy is recommended by prescribing droppers with various infusion solutions;
antihistamines appointed in all cases;
symptomatic drugs (against fever, vomiting, other drugs with the development of signs of complications);
vitamins, especially C and A;
correct diet.

Rubella in children under one year of age gives a stable lifelong immunity, which allows you to refuse vaccination in a timely manner.

With congenital rubella, a child is treated by several specialists, depending on the affected organs: a dermatologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, ophthalmologist, ENT doctor and others.

Even if the child feels well, he should not visit Kindergarten, school or other public places. It is best to stay at home for at least a week. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the child receives vitamins and means that strengthen the immune system. It is also desirable that the child drink as much liquid as possible.

Prevention

The main prevention of rubella is timely vaccination. It is carried out according to following scheme: at the age of 1-1.5 years, the child is vaccinated, and then at 5-7 years - revaccination. After revaccination against the virus, a strong immunity is developed.

The main methods of prevention:

A sick baby is isolated from other children until complete recovery. Usually, the sick person, from the onset of the rash, is isolated for 10 days. Sometimes (if there are pregnant women in the family or group), the quarantine period is extended to 3 weeks.
Complete exclusion of contact between pregnant women and a sick person. In the event of contact - repeated serology for 10-20 days (identification of an asymptomatic course). The introduction of immunoglobulin does not prevent the development of rubella during the period of gestation.
All children are vaccinated against rubella according to the vaccination schedule. It is given as an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. Vaccination after 15-20 days forms a strong immunity in the child, which remains active for more than 20 years.

As a rule, rubella proceeds easily and without features. Not the last place in this and in the absence of epidemics for last years belongs to universal vaccination. But despite the powerful prevention of the disease, you need to remember, because one of its most severe complications leads to death.

What is rubella? How does the disease manifest itself and what are its features compared to similar diseases? Who is more likely to get sick and how does the immune system behave during the development of an infection? Is rubella dangerous in our time and how to treat it in case of infection?

What is rubella

This infection was first mentioned in medicine in the 16th century, but the study of the virus was very slow. Only two centuries later, the Austrian scientist Wagner clearly described the differences between this infection and measles and scarlet fever. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II in 1938 in Japan, scientists proved the viral nature of the disease. And in 1961, the causative agent of rubella was isolated.

The disease haunted all pediatricians. A few decades ago, the infection ranked third in the ranking of diseases, causing a rash in children. It was common everywhere and getting sick with it in childhood was considered the norm. And since full treatment have not been invented so far - complications were observed in almost every sick child.

In the middle of the 20th century, it was proved that the rubella virus leads to a violation proper development children when the mother is infected during pregnancy.

But in the last century, since the invention of a vaccine against the disease, doctors have breathed a sigh of relief. In countries where 100% of the population is vaccinated, the disease has almost been forgotten, and doctors study rubella by medical literature.

Causes and methods of infection

Rubella cannot be contracted from animals, it does not mutate thanks to them. Only a sick person serves as a reservoir of the virus. The infection is one of the anthroponotic, that is, which develop only in the human body. How is rubella transmitted? Mostly by airborne droplets. Another route of transmission is transplacental, when a virus from an infected mother passes through the placenta to the child. This is the cause of congenital rubella.

The microorganism is unstable in the external environment. There are several features of the virus and disease that make rubella a relatively mild infection.

In this case, the disease resembles a time bomb. Why is rubella dangerous? - its complications are often much more serious than itself acute infection. Congenital rubella and complications from the nervous system in the course, manifestation and consequences surpass many infectious diseases.

Rubella virus entry routes and effects on the body

The mucous membranes are the first barrier to the entry of the virus into the body. Getting on the mucous membrane, the rubella virus is absorbed and rushes to the lymph nodes, so one of the first signs of rubella in a child is an increase in the lymph nodes.

At the next stage, the virus penetrates into the blood and into the skin. The next well-known and frequent manifestations of rubella are rash and itching. The microorganism has a special relationship to embryonic tissues - that is, when a pregnant woman is infected, the virus penetrates the placental barrier and affects many systems of the unborn child. In many cases congenital disease is considered as a slow-flowing infection, because after birth, a child often has an inhibition of the development of organ systems.

And also the virus impairs the functioning of the immune system and affects the nervous system.

Symptoms

How does rubella manifest itself? During the incubation period, the disease will not manifest itself in any way, and it can last, sometimes for about three weeks and even more. Cases in medicine are described when this stage of the development of the disease was 24 days.

Then the symptoms depend on the period of development of rubella:

the incubation period of rubella in children lasts from 11 to 24 days;
prodromal period - about three days;
rash period;
permission period;
consequences of the infection.

headache, dizziness

The symptoms of rubella change in stages.

Weakness, headaches and dizziness.
The first symptoms of rubella in children include malaise, mood swings, and loss of appetite.
Sometimes there are muscle pains in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joints - they are more often worried about the wrist and ankle.
AT rare cases The child is worried about nasal congestion.
Perhaps an increase in body temperature for several days, but it does not exceed 37.5 ° C.
At this time, the baby complains of a sore throat.
Rubella is manifested by slight reddening of the eyes.
How to find out what rubella begins in children? Are increasing cervical lymph nodes. The occipital and posterior cervical lymph nodes become more noticeable.

All this manifests itself within 1-3 days. The first stage of the disease proceeds, like many other infections. At this time, it is difficult to suspect the presence of the rubella virus in the body. And only information about contacts helps in making a diagnosis, which is extremely rare.

Clinical manifestations at the height of the disease

What does typical rubella look like in children? The disease is more active during the third period, when a rash appears. What other symptoms accompany this period of infection?

From this point on, body temperature jumps to 38.5 ° C, but more often it stays in the range of 37-38 ° C.
This time active development catarrhal phenomena - redness of the throat, enlarged tonsils, rhinitis.
Often the child is worried about coughing.
A rash in children with rubella in the form of small red spots, abundant in size from 2 to 4 mm, not prone to merging, unlike other infections, appears immediately on the face and neck, after which it very quickly without a certain sequence occurs throughout the body. Most spots are on the back and buttocks, on the back of the arms and legs, but the palms and feet remain absolutely clean.
Lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes) is more actively expressed during this period of the disease, which persists until the disease is completely resolved.

Does rubella rash itch? - yes, slight itching persists. After only three days, the rash disappears without a trace, leaving no pigmentation, scarring or other changes on the child's skin. But according to doctors, typical symptom Rubella is not spots, but an increase in lymph nodes. In almost 30% of cases, there may be no spots, and lymphadenitis is always present.

At intrauterine infection After birth, a child develops various malformations. In the first trimester, the number of complications after the disease is the highest and reaches 60%.

Complications of rubella

Ideally, rubella passes without a trace. But in fact, no one succeeds in predicting the further course of the disease. She, after a few months, can bring many surprises.

Here are the most common and severe of possible complications.

Rubella Diagnosis

Diagnosis is sometimes difficult, because about a third of cases in children after a year proceed slowly or without the usual signs, such as a rash on the body.

What helps in correct staging diagnosis?

In most cases to special methods studies are rarely resorted to, since many of them are expensive or require a long time for the growth of the pathogen. If a focus of infection is detected, rubella is tested for antibodies using RTHA (hemagglutination inhibition reaction), the minimum protective titer should be 1:20, otherwise the child must be vaccinated.

In addition to an increase in peripheral lymph nodes and the appearance of a rash, there are no clear external signs of the development of rubella, looking at which you can confidently make a diagnosis. A mild or asymptomatic course of infection baffles even experienced doctors. Therefore, it is important to know about diseases that are a bit like the course of rubella.

papules in pseudorubella

The first disease to be aware of is pseudorubella. There are several names for this disease: roseola infantum, sixth disease, and exanthema subitutum. This infection has nothing to do with ordinary rubella. The viruses that cause these two diseases belong to different families. The cause of the development of pseudorubella is the herpes virus types 6 and 7. In adults, this microorganism causes the syndrome chronic fatigue, and roseola in children. Unlike rubella, body temperature can rise to 40 ° C, catarrhal manifestations are completely absent, and the rash, despite the fact that it also spreads, looks like papules (small-sized elements with liquid inside). The peak of the appearance of false rubella in children is the end of spring, the beginning of summer, which coincides with the classic rubella. An analysis of the presence of the herpes virus in the body helps to distinguish diseases.

What else needs to be done differential diagnosis rubella:

with allergic reactions to drugs;
with measles;
infectious mononucleosis;
adenovirus infection.

It is possible to get confused in the diagnoses only in the case of an atypical or oligosymptomatic course of these diseases.

Rubella treatment

Treatment of uncomplicated rubella in children begins with general recommendations.

How to treat rubella in children at home? In general, the above measures are sufficient, the infection does not always require specific therapeutic effect. Sometimes therapy comes down to prescription only. symptomatic drugs.

Symptomatic treatment of rubella

What medications are prescribed to treat rubella?

The severe course of the disease or the development of serious complications, such as panencephalitis, are an indication for hospitalization in the infectious diseases department or intensive care unit. In these cases, you should not wait for the doctor, you need to call ambulance, because the number of deaths in rubeolar encephalitis reaches 30%. But in most cases, the prognosis for rubella is favorable.

Anti-epidemic measures for rubella

Despite universal vaccination, which is still the most effective measure prevention, outbreaks occur every 10 years in different regions.

What are the anti-epidemic measures for rubella?

General events in the foci of infection are ineffective, since the incubation period of the disease is long and there are latent forms of the disease.
According to some sources, the child becomes contagious a week before the appearance of rashes and 1-2 weeks after them. In most cases, on the fifth day after the onset of the rash, the virus is not shed into the environment. Plus, in order to become infected, you need long-term contact with the sick person. Therefore, the child is isolated only until the fifth day from the moment the rash is discovered.
Quarantine is not declared.
Is it possible to walk with rubella? Up to and including the fifth day after the onset of the rash better walks exclude so as not to infect others. At this time, frequent ventilation of the room where the patient is located is carried out. If the child lives in the private sector or falls ill during his stay in the country, walks are allowed within the allotted territory.
Is it possible to bathe a child with rubella? If the disease is mild, there are no complications and severe itching, you can swim, but it is undesirable for a child to be in the water for a long time. Bathing for 5-10 minutes or a warm shower is the best evening exercise. There are often impurities in the water that will exacerbate some symptoms. During the period of the disease, it is impossible to swim in reservoirs until complete recovery.

Rubella prevention

For today the only effective way rubella prevention is vaccination. Almost from the first days of the development of the vaccine, it entered the National calendar vaccination. In countries where high level immunization of the population against rubella, the disease occurs only if the virus is imported from other regions.

Today, killed and live attenuated vaccines are used to prevent infection. According to the vaccination calendar, the first introduction of protective antibodies against rubella to children is carried out at the age of 12 months. Revaccination takes place at 6 years of age. In some cases, based on the testimony or at the request of the parents, girls aged 12–14 are vaccinated to protect the body from infection. This is necessary if, at an older age, girls plan a pregnancy, then the likelihood of congenital rubella in children will decrease.

Nowadays, three-component vaccines are mainly used, when the baby is vaccinated according to the calendar at 12 months with simultaneous vaccination against mumps and measles. One-component preparations are also administered to protect against rubella specifically.

Can a vaccinated child get rubella? Such cases are possible if more than 10 years have passed since the last vaccination (although according to some sources, the vaccine protects up to 20 years) or if only one rubella vaccine was given, then the protection is not yet 100% effective. If the vaccination was carried out with a poor-quality vaccine, protection may also not work.

Frequently asked questions about rubella

Rubella is a non-dangerous disease and it can be defeated not at the time of infection, but long before that. Elementary preventive measures will help to cope with the disease and its consequences forever. Hand washing and timely cleaning of premises play an important role in this. But still, the main function in the fight against rubella belongs to immunization through vaccinations.

Rubella is a common disease that is very common in children aged 2 to 9 years. The rubella virus, which causes the disease, is very dangerous for the body, so every parent should be aware of initial signs rubella in children.

This disease is dangerous because it is transmitted by airborne droplets. That is, you can get infected just by talking with infected person or by holding objects that were previously held in the hands of the patient. Rubella can affect not only children, but also adults. However, at a more mature age, it proceeds, as a rule, with complications and is very difficult for a person to tolerate.

Rubella brings the greatest threat to pregnant women, because there is a significant risk that the child, infected through the mother, can either die in the womb or be born with severe birth defects and deviations.

A distinctive feature of rubella is that the patient may not be aware of the presence of the disease, calmly walk down the street and communicate with people. If the virus has entered the body, it begins to manifest itself only after 5-10 days. That is why in kindergartens not one child begins to get sick, but almost everyone who was with the patient in the same group.

The rash on the skin with rubella lasts for several days, gradually disappearing without special treatment

Symptoms

As mentioned above, getting into the body, the virus does not manifest itself in any way for several days. This is its incubation period, after which the first signs of the disease begin to appear.

Initially, the child has a severe headache and sore throat. Also, he can experience all the symptoms of a common cold - a runny nose, dry cough, weakness and fever.

The first signs of rubella also manifest themselves in the form of an increase in the lymph nodes under the jaw, conjunctivitis, nausea and vomiting. As a result, the child becomes capricious, refuses to eat and drink, as he feels a severe sore throat.

Then a red rash begins to appear. It occurs on the face, behind the ears and in the occipital region, and then spreads throughout the body, including in oral cavity. The rash as such does not bring discomfort to the child. She doesn't itch or hurt. Only one of her appearances scares children, because after 2-3 days after the appearance, she begins to merge and form large red plaques all over her body. At this point, body temperature can rise to 38–40 °C.

However, after a few days, the rash begins to fade and gradually disappear. As a rule, already after 7-10 days there is no trace of it on the body, and the child ceases to be contagious, he can be taken to school or kindergarten without fear that other children will become infected from him.

For a child with a strong immune protection rubella is practically harmless. And for children with poor health, this disease can cause serious complications as:

sore throats;
otitis;
pneumonia;
arthritis.

In an adult, the virus can cause encephalitis and meningoencephalitis. In addition, very often it is accompanied in adults by convulsions and fainting.

That is why it is necessary to make the right and timely treatment rubella at any age.

Rubella does not require special treatment, but the child needs rest during this period, as well as plentiful drink and bed rest

Treatment

In medicine, there is no medicine to treat rubella in children. As a rule, in the absence of complications in a child, he is treated at home. In this case, treatment should include taking symptomatic drugs, drinking plenty of water, taking vitamins and bed rest. At the same time, it is necessary to make high demands on hygiene - bed and underwear should be changed daily, while it must pass heat treatment that is, it must be ironed.

At severe pain in the back and muscles of the child, the doctor prescribes antihistamines, and with the appearance of conjunctivitis - "Albucid". If a child has greatly enlarged lymph nodes during an illness, he is prescribed UHF therapy. To treat a rash, lotions from decoctions of chamomile, calendula, oak bark and St. John's wort are used.

If rubella occurs with complications, then the child needs urgent hospitalization. And remember, you can get rubella only once in your life, because, having been ill, the body develops a strong immunity to the virus and does not allow it to “settle” in the body.

Prevention

It is very important to protect your baby from rubella. Today, children's clinics annually conduct preventive vaccinations, which produce antibodies in the body that can resist the virus. These vaccinations are public institutions are held free of charge. Since rubella epidemics are often observed in the winter-spring period, they are usually done in the fall.

Rubella in an adult is severe and life-threatening in case of late diagnosis and treatment. This disease occurs in adulthood is quite rare, but it is extremely difficult to tolerate. Rubella gets sick only once in a lifetime. cases reinfection not known.

What is rubella and what does it look like?

Rubella - this is infection, which can occur both with complications and in a mild form. Characteristic differences her from other diseases are red spots on the body, which practically do not protrude above the surface of the skin. In adults, these red spots are located apart from each other, and in some places merge into one, affecting a significant area of the skin. First, spots appear on the face and neck, then on the hairy areas of the skin, and subsequently on the legs, arms, buttocks.

Important: the rash on the skin with rubella does not itch, sometimes it can itch a little. If the rash began to bother, it is necessary to be examined for concomitant, non-rubella-related pathologies in the body.

Rubella causative agent

The rubella virus contains an RNA molecule and belongs to the genus Rubivirus (dangerous only to humans). Microvilli grow on its shell, with the help of which it is attached to the cells of the body. The causative agent of rubella has elements in its structure that have a detrimental effect on red blood cells and nerve fibers human cells.

Out of the environment human body rubella virus is destroyed almost instantly.

Why does rubella appear in children and how is it treated? This material is about this.

Causes of rubella. Ways of infection

The cause of infection with the rubella virus is primarily a weakened immune system. There are several ways of infection:

inside the womb from a sick mother;
from an infected child;
from an infected adult.

When infected from a sick child or adult, the virus is transmitted by airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing, talking, screaming, kissing). The most favorable environment are collectives and places with a large number of people.

Symptoms and signs

There are a lot of symptoms, but some of them are similar to the symptoms of other colds and viral diseases:

rash with red spots on the body, which appear 4-5 days after infection and last up to a week and a half; large quantity rashes occur on the buttocks and back;
sharp rise temperature: indicators in adults can reach 40 °, and it is very difficult to go astray;
persistent migraine-like headaches; it is difficult to remove it with rubella, so experts recommend not to oversaturate the body with painkillers to no avail;
pain in muscles and joints;
respiratory disorders: severe runny nose, sore throat, pain when swallowing, cough;
photophobia and increased tearfulness of the eyes, especially manifested in bright light;
lack of appetite;
conjunctivitis, often flowing into complex forms;
men have pain in the testicles.

AT special occasions other symptoms may appear, which will also indicate the presence of a viral infection in the body (narrow-profile doctors know the specifics).

How rubella manifests itself. stages

Rubella begins to appear with the formations of pink, slightly noticeable spots in the sky. After that, brighter spots begin to appear behind the ears, then on the face and neck.

Development stages (periods):

incubation period: the virus is already in the body, the person is a carrier, but symptomatic signs do not appear; duration from 10 to 23 days;
prodromal period:(may be absent in some cases) is characterized by general malaise and a gradual increase in temperature, an increase in lymph nodes; duration from 1 to 2 weeks;
rash stage: for 3-4 days, more and more rashes form on the body; during this period, there is a sharp increase in temperature, headaches and pain in the joints;
recovery period: the spots gradually disappear, the temperature returns to normal, the migraine disappears.

Important: a person is contagious for 7 days after the formation of the last rash.

Types of rubella

Rubella in adults is classified into groups based on several criteria. Depending on the symptomatic manifestations:

typical;
atypical.

In the case of an atypical disease, the symptoms are milder and the treatment is easier and faster.

According to gravity:

light form;
average;
heavy.

Depending on the likelihood of consequences:

with accompanying complications;
without complications.

In each case, there may be some deviations from existing classification, for example, moderate form.

Treatment of the disease

In medicine, there is no developed single system of treatment adult rubella. Medical methods are selected and prescribed depending on the symptomatic manifestations, as well as on the individual characteristics of the body:

antipyretic drugs ("Indomethacin", "Paracetamol") are taken when the body temperature rises above 38 °;
antiviral drugs ("Arbidol", "Amizon") are taken in case of a severe form of the course of the disease;
immune preparations are prescribed for any form of the disease ("Anaferon", "Viferon");
cough preparations (dry - Codelac, wet - Erespal);
from a cold, nasal drops ("Xilen" with a vasoconstrictor effect);
with strong muscle pain antihistamines are prescribed ("Suprastin");
from the manifestations of conjunctivitis, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial eye drops("Albucid");
severe swelling of the lymph nodes and pain in the area of tumors is treated by visiting a day hospital for UHF.

In each case, when choosing medicinal product should take into account the individual characteristics of the organism (age, presence allergic reactions into components accompanying chronic diseases).

With rubella, an adult should be completely isolated in a separate room. He needs to provide frequent plentiful drink, intake of vitamins, good rest and dream. In most cases, treatment is successfully carried out at home. However, at the first signs of a deterioration in the patient's condition, it is necessary to seek help from a doctor or call an ambulance.

To the main treatment of rubella medications you can add treatment with folk remedies.

Usually, treatment takes place at home, but if complications occur, hospitalization and regular monitoring by doctors are necessary.

Treatment with folk methods

Rubella treatment folk methods involves enriching the body with useful trace elements, as well as taking tinctures from diuretic herbs to remove the virus from the body:

tincture of lingonberries and rose hips;
tincture of yarrow herb, linden and raspberry, nettle, currant;
infusion of St. John's wort with the addition of crushed fresh berries blackcurrant;
expectorant herbs: marshmallow root, licorice root.

Herbal infusions, unless otherwise indicated, are usually made in the following proportions: 2 tsp. herbs or berries for 1 cup of boiled and standing 1 minute water. Infuse for about 30 minutes, cover the container tightly with a lid. Tincture is taken 2-4 times a day instead of tea or as an additional drink. Honey can be added if there is no allergy to its components.

Important: medicinal herbs or mixtures thereof cannot be the only methods treatment of rubella in adults, but only as an adjunct to medical treatment.

Immunizations and vaccinations for adults

Routine rubella vaccination for adults is recommended by medical experts around the world. It is held every 20 years. There are several nuances in its implementation:

Before getting vaccinated against rubella, you need to be tested for intolerance ( allergic manifestations) for some medications and drugs; this is necessary to eliminate the consequences after vaccination and sharp deterioration human condition;
after vaccination, it is important to follow the general established rules for vaccination (do not wet the injection site for up to 2 days, do not scratch, do not use specific creams, for example, from stretch marks);
rubella vaccination can be carried out in conjunction with vaccination against other viral diseases.

It is produced voluntarily on a paid or free basis.

What is dangerous rubella. Consequences and possible complications

Rubella in adults is more severe than in children, and with untimely and illiterate treatment, complications may arise and come Negative consequences:

pneumonia;
inflammation in the brain region (encephalitis), which will lead to a decrease in memory, intelligence, difficulty in speech, decrease mental capacity etc.;
chronic form of joint diseases (arthritis).

Rubella is especially dangerous for pregnant women who did not suffer from it in childhood. This can lead to infection of the fetus, which in turn leads to various violations body during child development. When a woman is infected in the first three months of pregnancy, in most cases, doctors insist on interrupting the gestation of the fetus. The rubella virus that has penetrated into the body of the fetus in the womb has a detrimental effect on the formation of its internal organs(kidneys, eyes, ears, heart, etc.).

Diagnostics. How to identify rubella

The diagnosis is made on the basis external manifestations, as well as from the words of the patient. In most cases, diagnosis is quick. In some cases, additional methods are needed:

virological method, which is used before the appearance of the first rashes on the skin (examination of feces and blood);
serological methods are used on the 1st or 2nd day of the appearance of a rash on the body;
ELISA analysis, which shows the development of the infectious process in the body.

There are other methods that are used to diagnose rubella in particularly difficult cases (for example, the complement fixation test).

Diet. What to eat and what not to eat when sick

With rubella, the patient usually does not have an appetite, so nutrition must be given Special attention so that the body receives the necessary useful and vitamin elements with food. Food should be freshly prepared, it is better to divide the food into 6-7 meals a day and reduce to the minimum portions for better digestibility weakened body. In mild forms of the disease, the patient can use almost all types of products, except:

spicy food;
fatty meat, fat;
smoked meats and preserves;
yeast muffin;
dairy products with a high percentage fat content;
fried foods.

In case of complications during rubella, the patient is recommended diet No. 13:

fish soups;
lean fish;
lean meat;
eggs;
cereals;
vegetables;
light snacks (for example, aspic);
low-fat dairy products (low-fat kefir).

The purpose of diet number 13 is to remove toxins from the body. Dishes are served in crushed, pureed and liquid form. It is impossible to take vegetables and fruits during rubella, as well as other foods that lead to bloating or upset stools (cheese, sausages, legumes, cabbage, apples, prunes, broccoli).

Rubella prevention involves a number of measures aimed at preventing the spread of the virus:

isolation of the patient for at least 7 days from the moment the first rashes appear on the body;
if possible, isolation of those previously in contact with the patient for at least 21 days;
upon contact of a pregnant woman with a patient, a complete examination is necessary.

Prevention is also considered mass vaccination of previously unvaccinated people who were in contact with the patient.

The very first compulsory vaccination is done at the age of one and a half years, after which it is repeated in all children at the age of 6. If for some reason the vaccination was not carried out, it is necessary to vaccinate girls at the age of 14.

There are contraindications to rubella vaccination:

high sensitivity to egg white;
also to aminoglycosides;
exacerbation of any existing chronic disease;
immunodeficiency;
when planning a pregnancy, it is forbidden to vaccinate a woman 3 months before the alleged conception.

Regarding reported cases lethal outcome in the case of rubella, one should not be irresponsible about preventive measures.

Important: regular care of the state of immunity will help to avoid such serious illnesses in adulthood, like rubella.

The video reveals information about the dangers of rubella for pregnant women and its symptoms, as well as all the possible side effects.

Rubella in adults is completely curable with proper selection of drug and folk methods. And only timely diagnosis will help maintain good health and avoid severe forms of the disease.

Question answer:

1. What is the causative agent of rubella?
The causative agent of rubella is a virus that is not dangerous to animals, only to humans. Outside the body, the virus dies.

2. What are the possible consequences of rubella in pregnant women?
Infection of a pregnant woman with the rubella virus entails infection of the fetus. First of all, the child receives a congenital chronic form of the disease. In addition, the virus acts destructively on the formed organs of the fetus or those that have just begun to form, which entails pathologies (heart disease, blindness, developmental delay).

3. How is rubella transmitted in adults?
Rubella in adults is transmitted by airborne droplets during conversation, friendly kisses, with saliva during coughing or sneezing.

4. How long should rubella quarantine last?
The duration of quarantine for rubella lasts 21 days. This is the incubation period of the virus in the body.

5. If the rubella lesion itches, how to get rid of it?
Usually rubella rash does not cause discomfort and does not itch. If this happens, you should immediately see a doctor, as this condition may indicate a pathology unrelated to rubella.

6. With what disease can rubella be confused externally?
By external signs, rubella can be confused with diseases such as syphilis, scarlet fever, measles, and skin rashes can resemble an allergic reaction.

Rubella is known to everyone as a childhood infection, but you can also get sick in adulthood. Moreover, rubella disease in adults is more severe and often causes complications than in young children.

Rubella infection is especially dangerous during pregnancy. Issues of prevention and treatment of rubella, as well as knowledge of its first symptoms are very important to prevent undesirable consequences.

Rubella - what is it? (a photo)

Rubella is an infectious disease caused by the togavirus. Refers to childhood infections: the vast majority of patients diagnosed with rubella are children 1.5-7 years old.

general photo of the manifestations of the virus

The disease is manifested by a small-spotted rash and minor catarrhal phenomena. Rubella can be diagnosed by some specific signs and a blood test for IgG antibodies, which begin to be synthesized in the body 3-4 weeks after infection and indicate the formation of relatively stable immunity (weakens noticeably 20 years after the disease or vaccination).

The virus is not very stable in environment: dies in 5-8 hours when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes. However, the high contagiousness of the disease and the absence of any symptoms of rubella during the incubation period causes the rapid spread of infection in kindergartens and schools.

Among people who have not been vaccinated or previously not ill with rubella, the incidence reaches 90%. For vaccinated or recovered people, a sick person does not pose a threat.

The virus can be transmitted through the air. AT children's team Infection is also possible through toys on which the saliva of a sick child has fallen. The risk of intrauterine infection with togavirus in the fetus is very high, provided that the pregnant woman is ill.

The seasonality of the disease is as follows: rubella is practically not diagnosed in summer, epidemic outbreaks are recorded in the period February-March-April.

The initial stage of rubella - the incubation period

rashes appeared, photo

The period from entering healthy body rubella virus until the first clinical manifestations (incubation) lasts 10-24 days. At that time pathogen penetrates through the mucous membrane of the throat (the ciliated epithelium of the nasal passages does not allow the virus to pass through) and enters the bloodstream, where it begins to actively multiply.

It is during the incubation period of rubella in children attending kindergartens and schools that the healthy is infected from the sick. Although at this time there are no external manifestations of the disease, 1 week before the onset skin rashes the patient becomes contagious to others.

The onset of rubella is often confused with colds: slight hyperemia of the throat, scanty dry cough and nasal congestion (occurs due to mucosal edema, no discharge), slight hyperthermia (up to 37.5-38.0ºС).

The situation is rapidly changing, and already for 2-3 days the patient develops a small-spotted rash that does not cause itching. pink spots, not rising above the surface of the skin, first appear on the face and spread throughout the body within 1-2 days.

The maximum accumulation of spots is found in areas with delicate skin: the flexor surface of the arms, in the groin and buttocks, and the lateral surfaces of the body. Simultaneously with the rashes (or a little earlier) is detected specific feature- swollen lymph nodes.

Specific signs of rubella:

Enlarged occipital and posterior cervical lymph nodes are painless, not soldered to surrounding tissues;
Rashes with rubella never appear on the palms and soles of the feet, do not itch;
The rash lasts from 2-4 days to 1 week and disappears without a trace, leaving no pigmentation or peeling;
There may be patchy rashes on the upper palate.

The patient remains contagious to others for another 7 days from the first appearance of the rash. At the same time, the period of skin rashes is considered the most dangerous in terms of infection.

With the disease, the blood picture also changes - in general, lymphocytosis (an increase in lymphocytes) is recorded against the background of leukopenia (a decrease in the total number of leukocytes), elevated level plasma cells, while ESR remains normal.

A 4-fold increase in the level of specific IgM antibodies in paired sera indicates initial period and acute course rubella (titer decreases with recovery). This fact is important in the diagnosis of erased and asymptomatic forms of the disease.

Usually, with the disappearance of the rash, the patient's condition improves markedly. The enlargement of the lymph nodes disappears after 1 month. After rubella, IgG in the blood test reaches a level of more than 10 U / ml, which indicates the presence of immunity.

Rubella in children

In childhood, rubella is quite easy. Rubella symptoms in children initial stage its development is accompanied by tearfulness, lack of appetite, bad dream. This is due to the fact that the virus releases substances that have a toxic effect on the nervous system.

With the progression of the disease, conjunctivitis, tonsillitis and others are possible. inflammatory diseases respiratory organs. However, the severe course of the disease is observed only in weakened children with low resistance.

The smaller the rash on the child's body (the disease often proceeds without rashes), the easier the little patient tolerates rubella.

Rubella in adults - symptoms and features

photo of rubella in adults, rashes on the face

Symptoms of rubella in adults are more pronounced. As a rule, the adult body reacts very violently to the virus. If a child can easily tolerate rubella on his legs, the disease puts an adult to bed for at least a week.

Often, patients develop a high temperature (up to 39ºС), joint pain, heaviness in the lower back, severe headache and increasing weakness. Often, the doctor fixes an enlarged spleen and liver during palpation, auscultation of the heart reveals muffled tones.

Rubella during pregnancy

One of the easiest childhood infections - rubella - is very dangerous for pregnant women. The virus easily crosses the placental barrier and can cause severe malformations in the fetus, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.

The target, first of all, becomes the central nervous system, heart, organs of vision and hearing. In addition to the above organ developmental anomalies, a child born with congenital rubella syndrome (infected in utero) is often diagnosed with diabetes, autism, thyroid dysfunction.

At the same time, a baby with CRS can be contagious to others for 1-2 years. At later stages of pregnancy (13-16 weeks or more), the likelihood of developing birth defects is markedly reduced, but not completely excluded.

One more thing, no less dangerous consequence rubella pregnant - miscarriage and stillbirth. Every third pregnant woman with rubella has a spontaneous abortion, one in ten stillbirths.

Every fifth baby born to a woman who has been ill with rubella during pregnancy dies during the neonatal period.

Rubella treatment - drugs and methods

Rubella does not require inpatient treatment. Hospitalization is subject to patients with a severe form of the disease, a serious comorbidities if complications are suspected. Specific treatment rubella in children and adults is also not carried out.

The medical complex includes:

Nutrition - the predominance of protein foods (cottage cheese, kefir, eggs, lean meat / fish dishes). The food is fractional, 5-6 times a day in small portions. Be sure to drink at least 2 liters. liquids per day. Recommended drinking mineral water(without gas) or Regidron.
Symptomatic treatment- antipyretics (Paracetamol, Nurofen), antihistamines (Suprastin, Claritin, Tavegil), antibiotics (only if complications occur). The most effective in terms of preventing intravascular coagulation syndrome Ascorutin.

The prognosis for rubella in children is usually favorable. However, one should not exclude the risk of complications - pneumonia, arthritis, meningoencephalitis, arthritis. Most often, the negative consequences of the disease occur in adult patients.

Togavirus poses a serious danger to pregnant women and children with CRS, adolescents (it is possible that the childbearing function will be impaired in both girls and boys). Recurrence is extremely rare in humans middle age with marked immunodeficiency.

Rubella prevention

Preventive measures aim to prevent the spread of infection and include active measures (vaccination) and regimen recommendations.

Isolation of the patient for 1 week from the onset of rashes.
Quarantine in children's institutions is not imposed. medical supervision for non-sick and unvaccinated people who have been in contact with the sick person. The introduction of contact immunoglobulin is acceptable.
Vaccination according to the age schedule - at 1-1.5 years, at 6 and 14 years (not ill) of the same type (anti-rubella) or combined (against rubella, measles, mumps). The vaccine only occasionally causes adverse effects - subfebrile condition, redness of the injection site, rash.
Immunity is formed 3 weeks after vaccination.
Complete exclusion of contact between pregnant women and a sick person. In the event of contact - repeated serology for 10-20 days (identification of an asymptomatic course). The introduction of immunoglobulin does not prevent the development of rubella during the period of gestation.
Non-ill women who want to become pregnant (immunity to the disease is not confirmed serological testing) it is recommended to be vaccinated 3 months before the expected pregnancy.
Termination of pregnancy is often recommended for pregnant women with rubella to avoid the birth of a child with serious developmental disabilities.