What does rubella virus mean?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on September 30, 2024
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Rubella virus is the pathogen of rubella, belonging to single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses. Rubella virus can easily cause vertical transmission. If pregnant women are infected with rubella virus in the early stages of pregnancy, it may enter the fetus through the placental barrier, leading to stillbirth, miscarriage, or fetal deformities. The survival ability of rubella virus outside the human body is relatively weak. It is very sensitive to ultraviolet light, ether, and common disinfectants, which can generally kill the virus. After infection with rubella virus, the disease is self-limiting, and most cases can recover on their own in about two weeks, primarily through symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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"Rubella virus positive" means what?

Rubella virus positive, in fact, most cases are diagnosed through blood tests for rubella virus IgG antibodies or IgM antibodies. It depends on which specific indicator is tested. If the IgM antibody is positive and the IgG antibody is negative, it indicates an ongoing infection. If both IgG and IgM antibodies are positive, it can be diagnosed as a rubella virus infection. If the IgG antibody is positive and the IgM antibody is negative, it indicates a past infection with no current rubella virus infection. If the rubella virus is cultured or detected in nasal secretions or blood, a definitive diagnosis can be made.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Does rubella virus require treatment?

Rubella virus generally does not have specific antiviral drugs, and treatment is mainly symptomatic. Most cases of rubella are relatively mild and many do not require treatment; full recovery usually occurs within about two weeks. For those presenting with noticeable fever and joint pain, symptomatic treatment can be provided, such as choosing some antipyretics or pain relievers. Generally, patients do not need hospital treatment. After recovery from the illness, relapse generally does not occur and one may acquire some immunity. Most patients do not have any sequelae, but pregnant women may face the risk of miscarriage or fetal malformation.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Does rubella virus affect pregnancy?

A positive rubella virus infection indeed affects pregnancy, as the rubella virus can enter the fetus through the placental barrier, thereby easily leading to stillbirth, miscarriage, and fetal deformities. Therefore, if women of childbearing age are infected with the rubella virus, they should not get pregnant at this time. It is safer to wait until the condition has fully improved before attempting to conceive. In the early stages of pregnancy, if infected with the rubella virus, a decision on whether to continue the pregnancy should be made under the comprehensive assessment of an infectious disease specialist and an obstetrician/gynecologist, taking into account the actual situation for appropriate treatment and management.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How to treat rubella virus positive?

If the test for rubella virus is positive, there are no specific antiviral drugs available. Rubella is a self-limiting disease; most patients can fully recover on their own and it usually does not recur. Generally, most people can fully recover in about two weeks. In terms of treatment and management, it primarily involves addressing any complications. For example, antipyretic and analgesic medications can be used for significant fever. Any other discomfort needs symptomatic treatment. Generally, treatment should be based on the actual condition of the patient. Most patients can fully recover and usually do not need hospital treatment, but it is necessary to ensure proper isolation since the rubella virus can be transmitted to others through the air, droplets, or respiratory routes.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How is rubella virus caused?

Rubella is an acute infectious disease primarily caused by the rubella virus, which can lead to a series of symptoms following infection. It can be transmitted from mother to child, as the rubella virus can pass to the fetus through the placenta. Additionally, it can be transmitted through airborne respiratory droplets commonly found in the environment. Patients with rubella have a high concentration of the virus in their saliva. When they talk, cough, or sneeze, virus-laden droplets are produced. When ordinary people inhale these droplets, they may contract the disease. Rubella is self-limiting, and most cases are mild and can fully recover on their own.