Added: 05/31/2007 |
Here Is Some Information You Should Know About Child Rubella.Since the rubella vaccination was developed in 1969 child rubella is something we have to worry less about. All 50 states require rubella vaccinations now. However there are still cases of rubella, otherwise known as the German measles or the three-day measles. It is important that you know when to have your child vaccinated and how to tell if your child has rubella. Keep in mind rubella is not just a childhood disease.
Generally child rubella is a mild disease in children. The first signs of child rubella usually begin with a slight fever of 99-101 degrees Fahrenheit accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes on the neck and behind the ears. Usually the fever only last one to two days. These symptoms usually occur one week before a rash appears. At the onset of the fever and swelling is when the illness begins to be contagious and continues to be contagious until a week after the rash begins. The child develops a pink to light red rash usually beginning at the hairline and moving down the body. The appearance of this rash is similar to that of the measles but the bumps are much smaller that generally form evenly colored patches. With child rubella, as the rash moves down the body it begins to clear from the face. This rash can last up to five days but on the average it only lasts for three days. As the rash goes away the skin will tend to shed in very fine flakes. In general most child rubella occurs at the ages of five to nine years of age.
Child rubella is a mild illness and children can expect to recover from it quickly and completely. Even the rash itself is not terribly uncomfortable and should only itch mildly. The only way to be certain that your child has rubella is through a blood test, however there is not much a doctor can do to treat it. Rubella cannot be treated with antibiotics because it is a virus. Child rubella is contagious however and can be transmitted through droplets of moisture spread by coughing, sneezing and talking. If your child has rubella it is important to keep them away from pregnant women and out of school or childcare until they are well or for at least four days after the rash appears. Most cases of child rubella can be treated at home but if you find that the fever increases or the symptoms become more severe than they should make sure to contact your doctor or take your child to a physician right away.
Children are not the only individuals who can contract rubella. Teenagers and adults can also contract this illness. The symptoms for adults and teens can be a little more severe. Quite often they will experience headaches, swollen eyelids and eyes and loss of appetite. Along with the swelling of the lymph nodes and rash they may also experience a runny or stuffy nose as well as pain or swelling in the joints. Rubella is a mild illness but for adults it can be more severe and the symptoms may last longer than with children. For children the illness should only last about a week but for adults the swelling and joint pain can last a few weeks. One very important thing to remember when dealing with rubella is not to use aspirin can result in Reye Syndrome, which can result in liver failure and possibly death. You can treat the fever and aches with acetaminophen of ibuprofen.
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