Rubella is a symptom in children that all parents need to know about

Rubella in children is considered one of the most contagious diseases, and especially susceptible to it babies from 3 years old. Before this age, most of the children receiving breast milk acquire protective antibodies along with it, so they remain immune to infection.

How can I get rubella?

This disease is viral, i.e. the causative agent is a specific type of virus belonging to the genus Rubyviruses, which is represented by a nucleic acid of the RNA type. Due to the double protective membrane, these pathogens have some resistance to external influences, retaining viability for several hours at room temperature and well tolerating the effect of negative temperatures. Rubiviruses quickly die under the influence of ultraviolet and boiling, as well as during processing:

The source and reservoir of the causative agent of infection is a sick person, not necessarily having clinical manifestations. The incubation period for rubella lasts up to 12-24 days, and all this time the infected is an active peddler of the infection, secreting the virus through the respiratory tract. The main route of transmission is airborne, therefore most of the cases of infection are related to the presence of children in places of large concentrations of people - in kindergartens, schools, medical institutions, etc.

Often, rubella get infected with close contact with a sick person, releasing pathogens along with particles of saliva during conversation, coughing, sneezing. Promotes the rapid spread of infection dry air in a confined room. It is worth noting that the main target for the virus is the mucous larynx, throat and tonsils, so the obstructed nasal breathing in the baby is an additional risk factor. Also, a direct route of transmission through the contact of the mucous membranes (with kisses) is possible.

Another mechanism of transmission of infection is transplacental - intrauterine infection of the fetus from a sick mother. In this case, babies with congenital disease secrete pathogens with the secretion of the respiratory tract and urine for about two years, presenting an epidemiological danger. In addition, the causative agent negatively affects the fetal development of the unborn child, leading to a variety of vices - the hearing aid, cardiovascular system, eyes.

Can I get rubella on the street?

Many parents are concerned about how to catch a baby rubella and what is the probability of "catching" an infection on the street. Given the susceptibility of rubella viruses to ultraviolet radiation (the pathogen breaks down after 40 seconds under the influence of sunlight), there is little chance of getting caught in the open air, but the likelihood of infection persists with close direct contact, especially prolonged ones. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the communication of a sick kid with other children, even on the street.

Can I get rubella if I have an inoculation?

Under the influence of the vaccine , immunity is formed, which protects against infection for many years. At the same time, the vaccine does not give one hundred percent insurance against the rubella virus, which is explained by the use in the vaccine of weakened strains of the pathogen, which have a low ability to activate the immune system. Therefore, sometimes rubella is diagnosed in children after vaccination. In addition, re-infection occurs in cases of immunity disorders in children, including some serious diseases.

If, after vaccination, rubella develops in children, the symptoms of the disease are often mild or nonexistent (asymptomatic rubella). This is due to the fact that with repeated penetration, the viruses predominantly linger in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, while practically not penetrating into the bloodstream and not spreading through the body.

Can I get rubella again?

Another issue of interest to parents is related to whether it is possible to catch rubella again after a previous pathology. In this case, the immunity developed after infection and recovery is more stable, and the probability of reinfection is extremely low. In very rare cases, a person recurrent rubella, and this often occurs no earlier than 10-15 years after the first episode of the disease.

How does rubella manifest in children - symptoms

Having penetrated the body through the respiratory tract, the virus after some time enters the cervical lymph nodes, and from there it is transferred to the total blood flow and distributed throughout the body. The pathogen is fixed mainly in the tissues of skin epithelium, mucous membranes, in lymph nodes, where it actively multiplies, causing characteristic manifestations. In addition, the infectious agent is able to penetrate the central nervous system. Consider how rubella manifests in children in different periods of the disease.

The incubation period of rubella in children

In the incubation period of rubella, the clinical picture of the disease is absent, i.e. pathology does not manifest itself at all, does not cause complaints, and you can only learn about it through laboratory blood tests. On average, this period takes about 18 days. It is worth recalling that already in this phase of the disease an infected child is able to infect others, singling out a virus with microdroplets of saliva.

The initial stage of rubella in children

At the end of the incubation phase, a prodromal period occurs, lasting from several hours to a couple of days, in which rubella symptoms in children have similarities with many other pathologies. Let's enumerate what signs of rubella in children may be present at this stage:

What does rubella look like in children?

Then follows the period when the rubella symptoms in children acquire specific, the main of which are as follows:

A rash with rubella in children first appears on the face, the scalp and neck, but spreads to the trunk for a short time. Sites of the greatest localization of rashes - extensor surfaces of hands and feet, buttocks, back. On the palms and soles of the feet there is no rash. The resulting elements are pale pink, round or oval, small, not protruding above the surface of the skin. Sometimes there is a rash in the form of continuous redness. The rashes last 2-4 days, after which they completely disappear. The child remains contagious for a week after the onset of the rash.

How to treat rubella in a child?

During the illness of the child, it is required to isolate from other children until 7 days after the onset of the rash, to prevent its contact with pregnant women in order to avoid infection. Rubella in children is mostly performed at home, hospitalization is necessary in the presence of complications. At the time of rashes, we recommend bed rest. Specific therapy is not available, symptomatic drugs may be prescribed to reduce body temperature based on paracetamol or ibuprofen. The child should drink more fluids, eat more efficiently.

Prevention of rubella in children

Parents who do not want their child to get rubella, must ensure that the vaccination schedule is met. Vaccination from this disease is included in the mandatory list and is performed at the age of 1 year, followed by a booster at six years of age. In addition, additional vaccination for adolescent girls can be provided.