Introduction
Rubella, also known as German measles or three-day measles, is a contagious disease caused by a virus that leads to serious complications. The distinctive feature of this disease is a red rash. The mode of transmission of the disease is through direct contact with the saliva of an infected person or the air by droplet infections (coughing or sneezing). Symptoms usually appear after two to three weeks, including mild fever and headache. The infection may cause mild to no symptoms in most people. However, it can cause serious problems for unborn babies and may result in abortion and stillbirths. Vaccinations are considered the best option for the prevention of this disease.
Are Rubella and Measles the Same?
No, rubella and measles are not the same. However, both diseases share common signs and symptoms, such as red rash. Rashes in rubella are spots that fade away faster, whereas, in measles, they are blotchy with red spots.
Rubella is caused by a virus that is not so severe (as compared to measles). The symptoms of rubella last for up to five days, whereas that of measles last for ten days or so. MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is safe, effective, and widely used to prevent both diseases.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Rubella?
Following are the sign and symptoms of rubella -
In many people, no symptoms show up. In some, it may cause:
-
Mild fever.
-
Headache.
-
Redness or swelling on the eye (pink eye).
-
Cough.
-
Swollen lymph nodes.
The symptoms usually last for one to five days. Some of the severe complications include:
-
Meningitis.
-
Arthritis.
-
Bleeding disorders.
During pregnancy, if a woman gets rubella, she can lose her baby in early or late pregnancy. If the baby survives, they will have serious problems that last for life, such as:
-
Congenital heart defects.
-
Hearing or vision loss.
-
Damaged spleen or liver.
-
Learning disabilities, etc.
What Causes Rubella?
Rubella is a disease caused by a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus. This disease is contagious, which means it can pass from person to person.
It can be transmitted by:
-
Direct contact with the infected mucus or oral fluids from the nose and throat.
-
It can spread from sneezes or coughs as a droplet infection from infected people.
-
Perinatally (infected mother to the unborn baby through the bloodstream).
An individual who has been infected with rubella can transmit the disease one week after the onset of the rash till one-week post disappearance of the wash. Many countries are completely free from rubella because of vaccination. But one infected person can transmit the disease to another. Therefore, vaccinations are a must.
To turn the pages from history.
1. HPV - 77 Rubella Strain:
It was the first successful strain to be used to prevent rubella. It was prepared by passing the rubella virus through the kidney of the African green monkey seventy-seven times. Efforts were made to develop the vaccine by a team of researchers and scientists. Serious work was done soon after the arrival of the rubella epidemic in the United States.
In June 1969, the first license for commercial production of the rubella vaccine was issued. The vaccine used the HPV77 rubella strain. This version was used only for a few years. In 1971, the introduction of combined vaccines (MMR vaccines) replaced all the other vaccines in use.
2. RA 27/3 Strain:
The name refers to rubella abortus, the twenty-seventh fetus and the third organ to be harvested. Most of the vaccines used to prevent rubella contain RA 27/3 strain. The vaccine was prepared in the normal human diploid cell strain.
Taking throat samples from infected patients was considered risky, so Plotkin (scientist) decided to utilize aborted fetuses. Several aborted fetuses (due to rubella infection) were studied by him. After studying various fetuses, the 27th fetus (kidney tissue) produced the strain used for developing the attenuated rubella vaccine. Hence the name. The RA 27/3 vaccine was approved in 1970. This vaccine was preferred over the HPV -77 for several reasons, such as higher efficacy, more immunogenicity, etc.
What Are the Types of Rubella Vaccines?
Rubella vaccine is often given in combination with other vaccines. The following are the available vaccines:
-
Rubella vaccine (stand-alone vaccine).
-
Measles and rubella vaccines (MR vaccine).
-
Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR vaccine).
-
Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine (MMRV vaccine).
Schedule of Rubella Vaccination -
Two vaccines are usually administered. They are:
-
MMR vaccine - It protects children and adults from measles, mumps, and rubella.
-
MMRV vaccine - It protects children from measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine should be administered twice with a time difference.
-
First dose - Between nine to fifteen months of age.
-
Second dose - Between four to six years of age.
Who Should Be Vaccinated?
-
All children ages from one to six years of age.
-
All women of childbearing age.
-
Adults might need it if they had not got it when they were children.
In general, everyone born after 1956 who is unvaccinated should at least get one dose of the rubella vaccine.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated?
-
People with life-threatening allergic reactions.
-
Pregnant women.
-
People with poor immunity.
What Are Some of the Adverse Effects Post the Administration of the Rubella Vaccine?
Like any other vaccine, side effects are usually mild and go away on their own in a couple of days. Some of them are:
-
Fever.
-
Mild rash.
-
Swollen lymph nodes.
-
Joint pain and stiffness.
-
In rare cases, seizures.
-
Temporary low platelet count.
Conclusion
The rubella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine used to prevent rubella. It is available either in itself or in combination with other vaccines. Two doses are given. After the first dose, ninety-five percent of people become immune. The vaccine becomes effective only after two weeks of administration of the first dose. In many countries, vaccination has completely eradicated the disease. The world health organization recommends that the rubella vaccine be included in routine vaccines. If not all people, then women of childbearing age should be vaccinated. It should not be administered to pregnant women or those with poor immunity. Vaccinations are necessary for our well-being and to stop the spread of disease. Remember, taking the rubella vaccine is much safer than getting rubella.
