Understanding German measles
RUBELLA, also known as German measles, is a benign infection in small children which often presents with mild flu-like symptoms including fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes or glands in the head and neck region which usually clear up within three days. However, especially for women who contract the infection very early in pregnancy, it could wreak havoc on the foetus.
“Unborn babies are very susceptible to rubella, especially if the mother contracts the disease in early pregnancy. Exposed foetuses can develop a condition known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) which can be fatal or very debilitating,” cautioned Dr Anona Griffith, paediatrician at Gateway Plaza, Old Harbour.
Congenital defect rates are 85 per cent of those infected in the first trimester and 25-50 per cent at the end of the second trimester. These defects vary and may not all be discovered at birth, but may be noticed over time as the child develops.
Complications may include eye problems such as cataracts, damage to the brain, and a very small head (microcephaly), low growth during pregnancy, heart abnormalities and deafness. The baby’s lungs, liver and bone marrow may also be compromised.
“The rubella infection is caused by a virus which is present in the secretions of the mouth and nose of infected humans. It is contagious and generally is at the maximal level of infection just prior to and up to seven days after development of the rash. However, the period from exposure to the development of the disease can be 14-21 days,” Dr Griffith explained.
With the symptoms almost identical to those of the regular flu, Dr Griffith said that for the condition to be diagnosed there is need for a series of specialised viral tests on nose and throat samples. Once identified, precautions must be taken to prevent the spread of the disease, and infected persons should be kept in isolation until they are no longer considered infectious.
“The rubella vaccine is given in combination with other vaccines, namely measles and mumps (MMR) or measles, mumps and varicella (chicken pox) (MMRV). It is recommended for children one year of age and above. It is given in two doses starting at one year, with the second dose at four to six years. This, however, was adjusted by the Ministry of Health locally to 18 months to two years,” Dr Griffith explained.
She advised women of childbearing age who have not been immunised to do so. The vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women or to those who suspect they may be pregnant, because there’s a slight chance it will harm the unborn baby since vaccines are made from deadly viruses.
“The best protection a mother could offer her unborn child is to make sure that she is protected by being vaccinated before she becomes pregnant, or by staying away from people with the virus. This may mean that you will need to isolate yourself much more than you would need to,” Dr Griffith underscored.
Rubella was formerly classified as an epidemic disease prior to the introduction of vaccines, and outbreaks would occur in six to nine-year cycles, with children being the common population affected. Since the introduction of vaccines and the establishment of strategies for the elimination of the disease, there has been a great level of success, with the Americas being declared rubella-free.
— Penda Honeyghan
