Rubella (German measles)
Rubella is one of five classic childhood exanthems (Measles,
Rubella, Chickenpox, Roseola, Fifth Disease). Rubella is caused by a togavirus -
one of the few not transmitted by arthropods.
Summary
- Cause: Rubella virus (togavirus)
- Transmission: respiratory
- Symptoms: 3-day rash, swollen glands
- Pathogenesis: Infection of respiratory epithelium leads to spread
to liver/spleen/lymph and viremia. Infection then spreads. Damage to cell is
not cytopathic. Rash due to immune complex formation in blood.
- Complications: In adults, arthritis, encephalopathy
- Treatment: supportive
- Immunity: lifelong
- Vaccine: MMR
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