How is rubella virus caused?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on September 07, 2024
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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.

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What does it mean if rubella virus IgG antibodies are high before pregnancy?

Before pregnancy, it is generally necessary to undergo eugenic prenatal tests, and the rubella virus test is one of them. If the test shows that rubella virus IgG antibodies are elevated, this indicates that the patient has previously been infected with the virus or has been vaccinated against the rubella virus, and antibodies have been produced in the body, providing immunity to the virus. Therefore, when a rubella virus IgG is detected, the patient does not need to be particularly worried, as this result does not affect a normal pregnancy. Regardless of whether or not one has been vaccinated against rubella, it is advisable to avoid contact with children infected with rubella during early pregnancy to prevent contracting the rubella virus, which can affect the growth and development of the fetus.

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Rubella Virus Infection Treatment Methods

Rubella is actually an acute self-limiting disease. There are no specific antiviral drugs after infection with the rubella virus; treatment is primarily symptomatic. Most cases of rubella recover completely within about two weeks. If there is significant fever or severe joint pain, symptomatic treatment can be administered, such as using antipyretics and pain relievers. Generally, hospitalization is not necessary for patients. Rubella is a self-limiting disease and most can recover completely. Generally, it does not recur. After infection, a certain degree of immunity is acquired, but it can still be re-infected in the future. However, symptoms in subsequent infections are usually mild, and many have no symptoms at all.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
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Does the blood test for rubella virus require fasting?

During the examination for rubella, blood can be drawn to test for rubella virus-specific antibodies IgG and IgM. It is best to conduct these tests on an empty stomach as fasting results are more accurate. Additionally, rubella virus can be isolated from some of the nasal secretions of the patient, though this test is more expensive and less commonly used. Rubella is a self-limiting disease; if IgM is found positive through rubella antibody testing, rubella can be confirmed and symptomatic treatment should be administered. There is no specific antiviral medication for the rubella virus.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Is rubella a skin disease?

Rubella is an infectious disease that should be treated in the departments of Infectious Diseases rather than Dermatology. It is caused by the rubella virus and its typical clinical symptoms include fever, a rash all over the body, and swollen lymph nodes behind the ears and neck. Generally, the symptoms are mild and the course of the disease is short, with most patients having a good prognosis. However, if a pregnant woman is infected with rubella early in her pregnancy, it can severely affect the fetus, even causing congenital deformities or developmental delays. Rubella is a self-limiting disease, and currently, there is no specific medicine for rubella virus infection.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What department should I go to for rubella virus testing?

If testing for rubella virus, it is best to consult the Department of Infectious Diseases or the Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. Rubella virus-specific antibody IgM can be detected through blood tests, or the virus can be isolated from the patient's nasopharyngeal secretions. For pregnant women, the presence of the rubella virus in the amniotic fluid can be examined to diagnose whether the fetus has contracted the infection. After rubella virus infection, there are no specific antiviral drugs available; treatment mainly involves symptomatic care. Rubella itself is a self-limiting disease, which usually fully recovers in about two weeks.