Rubella Flashcards
What type of infection is rubella?
Viral
What is the main cause of rubella?
RUbella togavirus
How is rubella spread?
Aerosol
Why is rubella now rare?
MMR vaccination
When is the MMR vaccination given?
12-13 months
3-4 years
How can rubella present?
Fever
Coryza
Arthralgia
Rash- spares the arms and legs
Post-auricular lymphadenopathy
How can the rash present in someone with rubella?
Starts on the face and moves down to the trunk, sparing the arms and legs
How is rubella diagnosed?
Serological testing
How is rubella managed?
Supportive
How long do symptoms of rubella take to resolve?
7-10 days
In who can rubella cause serious problems?
Unvaccinated pregnant women
When is a pregnant women most at risk?
In first 8-10 weeks risk of damage to fetus is as high as 90%
What effects can congenital rubella have on the baby?
Sensorineural deafness
Congenital cataracts
Patent ductus arteriosus
Brain damage
What will be high in women who have recently been exposed to rubella?
IgM antibodies are raised in women recently exposed to the virus
When should the MMR vaccine be administered?
In the post-natal period
MMR vaccines should not be administered to women known to be pregnant or attempting to become pregnant
