Rubella (German Measles) | Medtick
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Rubella (German Measles)

What is it?

A highly infectious disease caused by a virus.

  • It takes  two to three weeks for symptoms to develop from initial infection.

Countries affected are:

Europe & Russia

  • Poland
  • United Kingdom

Asia

  • Japan
  • Vietnam

Australasia and Pacific

  • Solomon Islands
Fever and pain relief medication
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Diagnosis tests

  • Serology tests
    • Test for IgG Rubella antibodies and IgM Rubella antibodies
  • RT-PCR (viral RNA detection)
  • Viral culture
  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound tests in pregnancy

Cause

  • Virus: Rubella virus (Rubivirus genus and belongs to the family of Togaviridae)
  • Direct contact: when someone affected sneezes or coughs and one catches it.
  • Infected mother to baby in womb

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Painful swollen glands behind the ears, below the skull at the back of your head in your neck?
  • A distinctive red-pink spotty itchy rash and has appeared 3-4 days after flu-like symptoms starting behind ears and spreading around neck and head (it may spread to abdomen and chest, legs and arms and last approximately 3-7 days)?
  • Joint stiffness and pain?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

Pregnancy

If pregnant or planning to be pregnant this condition can lead to:

  • Miscarriage or stillbirth
  • Your baby being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
  • Your baby having a low birth weight, eye problems (cataracts), deafness, heart problems, and brain damage.
  • Congenital Rubella syndrome

General tips

  • Avoid gatherings with friends and family as well as crowded places.
  • Social distancing guide
  • Self isolation guide
  • Coughing and sneezing into tissues and then bin it, if you have no tissue then in the crook (inside)  of your elbow.
  • Do not touch your face with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with infected people (2 meter distance)
  • Do not share towels and utensils, dishes , drinking glasses
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • How to wash Hands

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Rubella (German Measles) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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  • NHS

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

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  • Better health - NHS

    Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.

    There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!

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