The rubella , also known as rubella (with tilde on the AND ) is a viral disease that causes a acne and glandular inflammations . It is a disease caused by a virus which is present in the bloodstream about five days after infection, dispersing throughout the body.
Rubella is contagious : can be transmitted between humans by coughing or sneezing, for example. A person It can also be spread by touching a contaminated surface (such as a cup or a chair).
When the rubella virus reaches the blood , attacks white blood cells. It is important to keep in mind that if a pregnant woman contracts rubella, the virus can infect the fetus and cause death by disrupting cell multiplication.
The characteristic symptom of rubella is the eruption It generates pink spots on the skin of the infected person. The subject also usually suffer discomfort from swollen glands, joint pain, headache, throat discomfort and fever. Just as rubella can be fatal to the fetus, it is not usually serious in children. In adults, however, it can bring complications.
There is a vaccine that provides immunity to people against rubella: it is the same vaccine (known as triple viral or triple viral ) that protects against mumps and the measles . He who has already contracted rubella, on the other hand, also acquires immunity (he cannot become infected again).
That vaccine, which is a really effective and safe method for prevention Against this disease, it is indicated for all persons between one year and 15 months of age, with a second suggested application to children from 4 to 6 years, to which doctors refer to as "reinforcement". It should be noted that in times of epidemics , vaccination campaigns do not take into account the age of individuals.
As mentioned in a previous paragraph, women of reproductive age who wish to have children should take special care, since a contagion can put their descendants' lives at risk. Having reached sexual maturity, women can request a blood test to check if they are immune; if they are not, then they should get vaccinated and wait a minimum of 28 days before becoming pregnant .
On the other hand, it is very important to note that pregnant women should not receive the vaccine , as well as any individual suffering from cancer, who is receiving some radiation treatment or whose immune system be affected by corticosteroids. Despite this warning, case studies in which certain women were vaccinated in the middle of pregnancy did not register problems in children.
Specialists recommend seeing a doctor for signs such as a severe headache or ear pain, cervical stiffness or significant vision disorders after having suffered rubella. It is worth mentioning that the protection provided by the vaccine may disappear into adulthood , although this does not happen often. The solution to such a situation is as simple as the application of a reinforcement; However, the real problem is that it is not normal to have studies to control immunity against this disease, and that is why it is so important that women who wish to become pregnant do so.
Rubella treatment consists of the supply of paracetamol or another similar drug to reduce fever and minimize discomfort. In addition, doctors usually suggest isolation (so that the patient does not infect other people) and repose . In the case of children who were born with congenital anomalies because their mothers suffered from the disease during pregnancy, treatments should be determined according to the particular characteristics of each.
