Rubella is also known as German measles. It is a disease caused by the Rubella virus. It is a mild childhood illness that poses a serious threat to the fetus (unborn baby), if the mother contracts the illness during pregnancy. It is characterized by rash, swollen glands and especially in adults, joint pain. It is estimated that each and every year there are 700000 deaths due to CRS.
Causes
Rubella is a viral infection, caused by the rubella virus. This virus is spread through the air or by close contact. The rubella virus is found in the noses and throats of infected people. Direct contact with these secretions or exposure to the cough or sneeze of an infected person can spread the disease. It is found worldwide. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. A person with rubella is contagious from one week before the onset of the rash until about one to two weeks after the rash disappears. The disease is less contagious than rubeola (measles). Lifelong immunity to the disease follows infection, and there is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent rubella.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of rubella are a mild rash, swollen and tender glands (especially behind the ear and at the back of the head), and a slight fever. Common symptoms are -
Low-grade fever (102 F or lower) Headache General discomfort or uneasiness (malaise) Runny nose Inflammation of the eyes (bloodshot eyes) Rash with skin redness or inflammation Muscle or joint pain Encephalitis (rare) Bruising (from low platelet count, rare)
Treatment
Once you have had rubella it is very rare to catch it again. This is because the immune system makes antibodies during the infection to clear the virus, and this provides lifelong immunity. There is no specific antiviral agent that can be used against rubella. Simple analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) may be used. Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, can be given to children and adults for fever. Rubella can be confirmed with a simple blood test. Rubella is infectious from seven days before the rash has appeared until about four days after. If you contract rubella while you're pregnant, discuss the risks to your baby with your doctor. If you wish to continue your pregnancy, you may be given antibodies called hyperimmune globulin that can fight off the infection. All children should be vaccinated against rubella. Widespread vaccination of children helps prevent the spread of this illness to others, especially pregnant women. The first vaccine dose is routinely given at 12 to 15 months of age. The child should not receive the first dose of MMR before 12 months of age. A second dose of MMR is given at age 4 to 6 years. Vaccination of teenage or adult groups in colleges, workplaces, hospitals (staff and volunteers) or military bases helps prevent outbreaks in those areas.
Rotavirus is a viral infection of the digestive tract. It is the most common cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children. Adults sometimes become infected, but the resulting illness is usually mild. In both developed and developing countries, rotavirus is a common cause of hospitalization and death. The name rotavirus comes from the characteristic wheel-like appearance of the virus when viewed by electron microscopy.
Causes
Nearly every child in the world contracts the virus repeatedly before the age of 5. The virus lives in the bowels of infected children and is present in the diarrhoea that an infected child produces. The virus then enters the body of the children through the mouth or nose. Four types of viruses cause most viral gastroenteritis :-
If you have rotavirus and you don't wash your hands after using the toilet or your child has rotavirus and you don't wash your hands after changing your child's diaper or helping your child use the toilet the virus can spread to anything you touch, including food, toys and utensils.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting. Other symptoms are :-
Headache Fever Chills and Abdominal pain
The incubation period for rotavirus disease is approximately 2-4 days. Breastfeeding does not prevent rotavirus but the illness can be milder in breastfed infants. The disease is mostly mild. However 1-2% of those infected, develop dehydration associated with severe loss of sodium and chloride in the stools and a compensated metabolic acidosis.
Virtually all children become infected with rotavirus in the first 3 to 5 years of life, but severe diarrhea and dehydration occur mainly among children aged 3 to 35 months.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. Viral infections are not treatable with antibiotics. The most effective therapy is to encourage sick children to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. If your baby seems bloated or gassy after drinking cow's milk or formula, call your pediatrician to discuss a temporary change in diet.
If your child has a fever or headache, give them liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen. Do not give your child anti-diarrhoea medicines - they are for adult use only. The three most widely available products that you will find in nearly every pharmacy are pedialyte (Ross Laboratories), infalyte (Mead Johnson Nutritionals), reVital (PTS Labs). It is important that a physician for evaluation and treatment sees the child.
Alien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems, Fitness and Get Rid of Bed Bugs. Alien writes for . He also writes for . Alien's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.