Rubella

Last Updated: 2023-03-31

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: 1F02

Rubella, also known as the 3rd infectious disease.

Contagious viral infection that mainly affects unvaccinated adolescents, typically peaking in spring.

  • Spread through respiratory droplets
  • Incubation period: 2-3 weeks
  • Contagiousness: 6 days before to 8 days after rash onset
  • Less contagious than measles
  • Virus: 50-100 nm RNA togavirus
  • Infection begins in respiratory mucosa and spreads hematogenously

  • Often asymptomatic
  • Prodromal stage: Reduced general condition, mild to moderate fever, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and inflammation
  • Initial butterfly-shaped rash on the face, spreading to the retroauricular area
  • Non-confluent, small-spotted or papular rash on the skin, remission after 3 days
  • Swelling of cervical lymph glands, splenomegaly, and joint pain in some cases

  • Clinical diagnosis supported by laboratory findings
  • Leukopenia, eosinophilia, elevated ESR, and elevated ASL titer (1-2 weeks after onset)
  • PCR for direct detection
  • Hemagglutination inhibition test (HAM) for specific IgM antibodies 3-7 days after rash outbreak

  • Encephalitis
  • Gregg's syndrome or abortion if contracted during pregnancy

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  3. Davidkin I, Valle M, Peltola H, et al. Etiology of Measles- and Rubella-like Illnesses in Measles, Mumps, and Rubella-Vaccinated Children. The Journal of Infectious Diseases 1998;178:1567-70.
  4. Dukes C. ON THE CONFUSION OF TWO DIFFERENT DISEASES UNDER THE NAME OF RUBELLA (ROSE-RASH). The Lancet 1900;156:89-95.
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  7. Velangi, Tidman. Gianotti-Crosti syndrome after measles, mumps and rubella vaccination. British Journal of Dermatology 1998;139:1122-3.
  8. Robert Koch Institute, Epidemiological Bulletin No. 34. (2015). Rki.de. Retrieved 10 May 2016, from https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Archiv/2015/Ausgaben/34_15.pdf?__blob=publicationFile