Can you breastfeed with postpartum rubella?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on February 02, 2025
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When a mother develops rubella postpartum, she should not breastfeed her baby. This is because the rubella virus can be directly transmitted to the baby, affecting the baby's growth and development. Rubella virus is dangerous as it comes from respiratory infectious diseases. The patient is the only source of infection, mainly spreading through droplets, contact transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Moreover, the incidence of rubella virus infection is very high in children aged five to six months, and the younger the age, the lower the body's resistance and the higher the incidence rate. Therefore, it is best for mothers to temporarily stop breastfeeding during the breastfeeding period.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Rubella virus antibody is associated with rubella.

Rubella antibodies include rubella IgG and rubella IgM. Through the testing of rubella antibodies along with the patient's clinical symptoms, many cases can be diagnosed. If rubella is definitively diagnosed, it generally requires appropriate isolation. Patients with mild conditions usually do not need hospitalization and can isolate at home. The main treatment is symptomatic management; generally, no medication is needed if there are no obvious symptoms, and complete recovery can be expected in about two weeks. If there are symptoms like fever and pain, medications such as antipyretic analgesics and pain relievers can be used for treatment and management, and a real-time assessment should be made based on the actual situation.

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

Rubella virus can be transmitted through airborne respiratory droplets, as well as through common contact between individuals, and can also spread through mother-to-infant contact and vertical transmission from mother to infant. The saliva of rubella patients contains a large number of rubella viruses, and airborne droplets carrying the virus can be produced when talking, coughing, or sneezing. People with low immunity who inhale these droplets can then develop the disease. Rubella is an acute self-limiting disease. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment of the patient's clinical symptoms and blood tests for rubella-specific antibodies. Once a definite diagnosis is made, symptomatic treatment should be administered.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
43sec home-news-image

Can you breastfeed with postpartum rubella?

When a mother develops rubella postpartum, she should not breastfeed her baby. This is because the rubella virus can be directly transmitted to the baby, affecting the baby's growth and development. Rubella virus is dangerous as it comes from respiratory infectious diseases. The patient is the only source of infection, mainly spreading through droplets, contact transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Moreover, the incidence of rubella virus infection is very high in children aged five to six months, and the younger the age, the lower the body's resistance and the higher the incidence rate. Therefore, it is best for mothers to temporarily stop breastfeeding during the breastfeeding period.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
41sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
41sec home-news-image

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.