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What is rubella? |
Rubella, or German
measles, is caused by the rubella virus. It is a mild illness that can
be prevented by immunization. However, if a pregnant woman contracts
rubella, there could be harmful effects for her baby. Therefore,
pregnant women who have been exposed to rubella should contact their
physician immediately. |
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What are the
symptoms of rubella? |
The symptoms of
rubella include rash, low-grade fever, swollen glands in the area behind
the ears and, for adults, aching joints. If a rash appears, it appears
on the face and progresses from head to foot, lasting about three days.
However, many children do not exhibit symptoms. |
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How is rubella
spread? |
Rubella is spread by
droplets expelled during sneezing, coughing or talking. Rubella is also
spread via direct contact with the nose or throat fluids of an infected
person. Rubella is contagious one week before to at least four days
after the onset of the rash. |
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How can I keep from
getting rubella? |
Rubella can be
prevented by immunization. Since the vaccine was developed in 1969,
infants and children have received immunization as part of the MMR
–measles, mumps, rubella –vaccine trio.
The vaccine is first
given at age 12-15 months and a second dose is given between age 4 and 6
years.
Kentucky law
requires that all children in child care or school settings be
immunized.
According to the
CDC, approximately 93 percent of children under the age of 3 have been
immunized for rubella.
If you were born
before 1969, it is possible that you were exposed to rubella, but do not
assume you have immunity without confirmation by a lab test.
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If I’ve been exposed to
rubella, how long will it take for symptoms to develop? |
The initial symptoms of
rubella take two to three weeks to develop —usually 16 to 18 days after
exposure. |
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What should I do if I
think I have been exposed? |
Contact your physician
if you are pregnant and have been exposed to rubella.
Contacts of confirmed cases should be vaccinated, but this does not
necessarily prevent additional cases. |
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What treatments are
available for rubella? How serious is the disease? |
There is no treatment
for rubella. The illness runs its course within a few days.
Rubella isn’t
usually a serious illness in children, but it can be very serious for a
pregnant woman. The infection is likely to spread to the fetus,
potentially causing congenital rubella syndrome, which can result in
miscarriages, stillbirths and severe birth defects.
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How many cases of
rubella have been reported in Northern Kentucky? Nationally? |
There have been no
cases of rubella reported in Northern Kentucky.
Overall, fewer than 10 cases of rubella are reported in the U.S. each
year. All reported cases since 2002 originated in other countries. |
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Where can I get more
information on rubella? |
For more information
online, you can visit the CDC’s Web page on rubella at
http://cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/rubella/ or the March of Dimes site
at
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_673.asp.
Or, for more
information on the Health Department’s programs, please call
Epidemiology Services at 859.363.2070.
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