Complications of Rubella in Children: Why it is dangerous, Consequences. How can rubella be dangerous?

Hello, dear moms and dads! The child developed a small red rash. What is this? Or maybe this is a symptom of some other disease?

As always, let’s not guess at the tea leaves, but call the children’s clinic and arrange for a doctor to come to your home. After all we're talking about about your child's health.

Why shouldn’t you go to the clinic with your child? Well, actually, it’s up to you, it’s just quite possible that we are dealing with rubella in children, and it is most often transmitted by airborne droplets. Therefore, your child poses a danger to other children.

As soon as he sneezes, coughs, or just sits in line at the pediatrician, other children will get sick. So, out of respect for other parents, and understanding that we are dealing with an infectious disease, stay at home and wait for the doctor to come.

How dangerous is rubella in children?

Rubella – acute infection, which is characterized by the appearance and enlargement of the occipital lymph nodes. As a rule, in children rubella occurs in mild form, without any complications and for a short time.

Vaccinated children may not get rubella at all, so it is important to vaccinate your child according to national calendar vaccinations. And yet, what is the danger of this disease?

The fact is that in addition to the airborne method of infection, rubella can be transmitted transplacentally, that is, if a pregnant woman gets sick, the probability of infection of the fetus is very high.

Based on this, there are two types of rubella in children:

• acquired;
• congenital.

Acquired rubella poses virtually no danger to children, while congenital rubella can cause various physical disorders in the baby: visual impairment, deafness, heart defects. And that's not yet full list pathologies.

As practice shows, the peak incidence of rubella in children occurs in April-May. This is due to reduced immunity and lack of vitamins. By the way, infants rarely get rubella; it usually affects children aged 4 to 15 years.

The exception is newborn children with congenital rubella, they can also be a source of infection for others for another six months, and sometimes longer.

Now, let's actually talk about how rubella occurs in children? What should we prepare for?

Rubella in children: how does the disease progress?

So, first, let's determine the source of infection - this is only an infected person. To become infected, you need close contact with someone who is sick. The incubation period for rubella is 2-3 weeks, but on average, a rash appears approximately 18 days after exposure.

2-3 days before the rash appears, the child may experience headache, slight increase fever, runny nose, complaints of a sore throat, the occipital area may already begin to enlarge The lymph nodes.

Typically, the rash begins to appear primarily on the face and neck, in the extensor areas of the limbs. Then very quickly, the rash spreads throughout the child’s body and can persist for another three days.

The first rash is often accompanied by redness of the skin, which resembles a scarlet fever rash. Sometimes rubella in children is accompanied by redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes and a slight cough.

However, all these symptoms of the disease are so mild that they do not attract the attention of parents. But, nevertheless, in in rare cases Rubella in children can be severe: complications from nervous system, severe conjunctivitis, pain in the neck muscles.

Therefore, it is important to make an accurate diagnosis, and for this you need to have the child examined by a pediatrician. For the treatment of rubella, it is usually prescribed drinking plenty of fluids and the use of antihistamines.

No special care is required for the affected skin areas. It is enough just to follow the rules of personal hygiene of the child.

The duration of the disease in a mild form does not exceed 5 days, with complications – up to 2-3 weeks. And also keep in mind that a sick child remains contagious to others for a week after the first rash.

Rubella is a viral infection that is said to be better experienced in childhood than in adulthood. Because babies are practically asymptomatic, there are cases when both parents and their baby are not even aware of the disease.

But this doesn't always happen. In today's article you will learn what complications of rubella can be in children, why the infection is so dangerous and how to protect yourself from it.

Rubella or German measles is viral in nature. Causes the baby low temperature followed by the appearance of a rash on the body.

Transmitted by airborne droplets. That is, when a patient coughs or sneezes, the saliva of a patient transmits the disease to a healthy person.

The baby is contagious 5 days before the rash appears, and then another 2-3 days before complete cessation rashes.

The most active time for the virus is the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Epidemics also occur at intervals of 6-7 years.

Possible complications after rubella in children?

Rare, but possible complications in a child are most often associated with reduced immunity. The more weakened it is, the more serious the problems can be. All problems arise due to the addition of a secondary bacterial infection. Here is a list of possible dangers:

• Enlarged lymph nodes;
• Joint pain;
• Otitis;
• Pneumonia;
• Conjunctivitis;
• Angina;
• Damage to the central nervous system;
• Encephalitis;
• Thrombocytopenic purpura.

And now more about each of these problems.

Enlarged lymph nodes after rubella infection in a child

Most often, during and after the disease, the baby may experience enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck, behind the ears and on the back of the head. To the touch you can feel dense tubercles, the size of beans, or even larger. When you press on them you feel pain.

This is the most harmless complication of rubella. After all, as soon as recovery occurs within one to two weeks, the size of the lymph nodes normalizes.

Joint pain

In young children, such problems are most often not observed. But teenage girls may complain of pain in the knees when walking, inflammation of the joints of the fingers. Swelling and redness are also possible. The older the girl is, the more often problems arise.

This is a temporary condition, which also normalizes approximately two weeks after the end of the disease. Doctors recommend taking anti-inflammatory drugs based on ibuprofen, for example, Nurofen.

Hearing complications in babies after rubella virus

Otitis media and hearing impairment are possible. This is due to the addition of a secondary bacterial infection. When this happens, doctors may prescribe antibiotic therapy.

This happens quite rarely and indicates weak immunity sick.

Conjunctivitis in a child with rubella

Occurs even before the rash appears. It all starts with redness of the eyes, and then, with weak immunity, it develops bacterial infection. Possible purulent discharge from the eyes, clumping of eyelashes. Doctors prescribe antibiotic-based drops or ointments.

Pneumonia due to rubella

It is also extremely rare and indicates the baby’s weak immunity. Most often, it begins to develop even before the rash appears. Doctors send such children to the hospital and prescribe appropriate therapy.

Nervous system problems

One of the most rare complications, 1 in 5000 patients with rubella infection. It is expressed by encephalitis, which develops several days (3-5) after the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease. Characterized by rare deterioration general condition: temperature rise to high values, disorder of consciousness, convulsions. Treatment is carried out only in a hospital setting.

Thrombocytopenic purpura due to rubella

It appears more often in girls. Characterized by hemorrhagic diathesis (minor hemorrhages on the skin), bleeding gums. It begins a few days after the last rash on the body. Full recovery perhaps in 75% of cases of the disease.. The vaccine itself is combined and contains weakened measles, rubella and mumps viruses. Protects in 97% of disease cases.

If you don’t remember or don’t know whether you had rubella or not, whether you were vaccinated or not, it is recommended that you protect yourself and your family.

One of the most common infections of viral etiology is rubella. This disease is usually mild and rarely accompanied by complications. On the other hand, infection of a pregnant woman represents serious threat for the health of her unborn baby. In some cases, the disease causes developmental defects in the fetus and its intrauterine death.

Description of the disease

Rubella is an infection of viral etiology, characterized by the appearance of rashes on the skin and moderate intoxication. The disease first appeared Full description F. Hofmann in 1740. Only 140 years later, a unanimous decision was made to separate the pathology into a separate nosological group.

Today, the prevalence of the disease has decreased significantly. These results were achieved thanks to the population vaccination policy. Despite this, about 100 thousand new cases of infection are recorded annually. Every 3-4 years, the incidence rate increases and then declines.

and methods of transmission

Rubella is a disease of viral etiology. Most often it is diagnosed in children. Its causative agent is an RNA genomic virus with teratogenic activity. He is comfortable existing only in human body. In the external environment, it quickly dies under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, due to insufficient humidity or changes in pressure. At low temperatures, the virus lives for a very long time and can retain the ability to reproduce.

The source of infection is usually a person with pronounced (rarely erased) signs of rubella. A week before the rash and for another five days after, rubivirus is released into external environment. In epidemiological terms, children with a congenital variant of the disease are considered the most dangerous. In this case, the pathogen enters the external environment along with feces, saliva or urine for several months. Favorable conditions Organized groups serve for infection ( kindergarten, school). Therefore, patients are isolated immediately after the diagnosis of rubella is confirmed.

How is the infection transmitted? There are two ways of transmitting the disease - airborne and transplacental. The mechanism of development of this disease has not been thoroughly studied. The rubella virus enters the human body through mucous membranes respiratory tract. Then it begins its activity, settling on skin cells and lymph nodes. The body reacts to the introduction of agents by forming special antibodies. During illness, their volumes in the bloodstream constantly increase. After recovery, a person remains immune to this virus for life.

What does rubella look like?

Duration incubation period is about 15 days. The next catarrhal period is 3 days. In young patients, symptoms of damage to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract appear very rarely. Adults usually complain of photophobia, severe headaches, runny nose, cough and lack of appetite. On the first day of the disease in 90% of patients against the background skin itching rashes appear. They look like small pink spots regular shapes that rise above the surface of the skin.

Rubella rash initially appears on the face, behind the ears and on the neck. Within 24 hours it rapidly spreads to other parts of the body. It should be noted that exanthema never appears on the soles and palms. Sometimes single spots are found on the mucous membrane oral cavity. In 30% of cases, there are no rashes, which significantly complicates diagnosis. Other symptoms of this disease include a slight increase in temperature. Rarely do patients complain of muscle pain and gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Types of rubella

Depending on the route of infection, it is customary to distinguish two types of this disease:

• Acquired rubella. This form of the disease is accompanied by multiple rashes throughout the body, but may have an atypical clinical picture. In 30% of cases, there are no symptoms at all, which makes diagnosis difficult and contributes to the spread of the epidemic. The disease is usually mild, and those infected are treated at home. Hospitalization is indicated only in case of complications.
• Congenital rubella. This is very dangerous form diseases. In most cases, it is characterized by a complicated course. Possible consequences include disruption of the central nervous system, hearing and vision.

Considering the above facts, it is necessary to make one significant remark. Rubella disease in adults is diagnosed extremely rarely. The vast majority of people experience this disease in childhood, and the resulting immunity lasts for the rest of their lives. Currently, about 85% of women are immune to this infection by the time they reach reproductive age.

Medical examination of the patient

Confirming the diagnosis is usually not difficult. Initially, the doctor conducts a physical examination and pays attention to specific symptoms(we already told you what rubella looks like a little higher). The next stage of the examination is laboratory testing:

• General blood analysis.
• Assessment of immunoglobulin concentration.
• mucus from the nasal cavity.

IN mandatory differential diagnosis with measles is carried out, enterovirus infection, scarlet fever.

Basic principles of treatment

A person who already has rubella does not need emergency hospitalization. Special drugs has not been developed against this disease, it is only used symptomatic therapy. It is important for the patient to adhere to bed rest, eat right and drink more water. In most cases, the rubella rash lasts only a few days. After recovery, the resulting immunity lasts for life. Sometimes the disease returns. Experts explain this phenomenon individual characteristics immune system.

Only if complications occur is treatment in a hospital setting indicated. Patients are prescribed immunostimulating therapy (Interferon, Viferon). To prevent the development of cerebral edema, hemostatic agents, diuretics and corticosteroids are used. During the convalescence stage, patients are recommended to take nootropic drugs to improve cognitive functions.

Why is rubella dangerous?

Complications from this disease are extremely rare. As a rule, they appear if a bacterial infection occurs. Rubella in this case is complicated by secondary pneumonia, sore throat or otitis media. In adult patients, damage to the central nervous system cannot be excluded. This disease represents greatest threat for women during pregnancy. About it we'll talk later in the article.

Pregnancy and rubella

The consequences of this disease during pregnancy can affect his health. The virus penetrates the fetus through the placenta, affecting the endocardium and capillaries. Then the pathogen spreads to all organs of the child, where it begins to rapidly multiply. The most common complications of rubella in pregnant women include stillbirth and spontaneous abortion.

If the baby is nevertheless born, he may develop the following disorders over time:

• heart defects;
• exanthema;
• jaundice;
• myocarditis;
• encephalitis;
• mental retardation;
• dystrophy.

Such complications lead to premature death of the baby in 30% of cases. About 70% of children die in the first year of life. Certain manifestations of the disease make themselves felt only at puberty. This autoimmune thyroiditis, diabetes, and growth hormone deficiency. In the blood of an infected child, the rubella pathogen can remain active for several years. Specific treatment this disease modern medicine cannot offer.

Disease prevention

General preventive measures in areas of infection are ineffective. It is almost impossible to determine the presence of a virus in the body before its first symptoms appear. However, the sick person is isolated for 5-7 days from the moment the rash appears.

Specific prevention involves vaccination against three diseases simultaneously: measles, rubella, which is done a second time at 6 years of age, and the first time at the age of one year. Among the contraindications to vaccination are the following:

Can be combined with others mandatory vaccinations(against whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria and tetanus). It is forbidden to mix different drugs in one syringe. In addition, it is advisable to place injections in different places. The only exception is the complex (measles-rubella-mumps) vaccination. At the age of 6, many children have it repeated. This revaccination helps develop immunity to three diseases at once. After the procedure, swelling of the skin and slight redness may be observed. Adverse reactions from the body are enlarged lymph nodes, nausea, runny nose, general malaise. IN adolescence After vaccination, it is possible to develop arthralgia and polyneuritis, which go away on their own over time.

Rubella (rubeola) is a viral infectious diseases moderate type.For rubella characterized by mild lesions of the child's body - slightly enlarged lymph nodes and the appearance of fine-spotted exanthema. But in older children, the disease can be severe, involving purpura (capillary fine-spotted hemorrhages in the mucous membrane or skin) and joints.
Etiology of rubella :
The rubella virus is frost-resistant, but quickly dies under the influence of disinfectants and when exposed to ultraviolet rays and Stores at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
Humans are the only source and distributor of the virus rubella.The source of this viral infection may become infant with congenital rubella, spreading pathogen during the first 5-6 months from birth.
Distributed by rubella by airborne droplets from an infected person to a healthy person when talking, coughing or sneezing. A person with rubella is a source of infection a week before the first symptoms appear and a week after the end of the period of rash.
The contagiousness (the ability of an infection to be transmitted from sick people to healthy people) of rubella is low and therefore infection requires closer contact than with chickenpox or measles. In poorly ventilated areas and in places with large crowds of people, the risk of infection rubella increases. In addition, there is a transplacental (from mother to fetus) route of infection with rubella, which can lead to the formation of pathologies in the development of the fetus. Women who have not had rubella by the time of childbearing age and do not have antibodies retain high probability
infections during pregnancy. With absence immunity against rubella , susceptibility to infection is very high and does not depend on age. Children under 1 year old get rubella in rare cases, since they retain passive immunity acquired from their mother. The peak of infection activity occurs between March and June among younger children. age group

(from 3 to 6 years). :
Symptoms of rubella in children Usually occurs at a low temperature with minor conjunctivitis and a runny nose. The incubation period for rubella is from two to three weeks. These days, the child develops mild symptoms of intoxication of the body: headache, malaise, lethargy, decreased appetite, enlarged and reddened throat, sometimes - pain in muscles and joints. The posterior cervical, parotid and occipital lymph nodes are often enlarged. Before the rash, an enanthema (rash on the mucous membranes) may appear on the child’s skin, which is small pink specks on the mucous membrane of the palate. A little later, these specks may merge and spread on the temples, acquiring a dark red color.
The lymph nodes become enlarged at least two days before the rash appears on the child's skin and remain enlarged for 7-9 days. Rash with rubella, it manifests itself in a much more varied manner than with chickenpox or measles. The rash covers a significant part of the child’s body for several days and is a maculopapular formation of a pale pink color. First, the rash appears on the face (where some of the spots often merge). Then it quickly spreads over the entire surface of the child's skin - especially many spots appear on the inside of the arms, back and buttocks. After 2-3 days, the rashes turn pale and gradually disappear, leaving no traces of pigmentation. Photophobia (unlike measles) is absent.

Diagnosis of rubella :
With characteristic clinical picture(especially during the spreading season) and the identified source of rubella infection, diagnosing this disease does not present any special difficulties. In some cases, diagnosis can be difficult due to the similarity of the course with some childhood diseases (scarlet fever, measles, allergic skin rashes). Therefore, when symptoms of the disease, contact your pediatrician or invite a doctor to your home.
Rubella poses a great danger to women who have not been vaccinated and were not ill before pregnancy and who have communicated with carriers of this infection.
Therefore, to confirm rubella infection, it is highly advisable to undergo a laboratory examination.

Treatment of rubella :
In the absence of any complications, rubella treatment does not require any special means. Only isolation of the sick child from other children and bed rest are indicated. If complications arise with rubella, the following are used: sulfonamide drugs; analgesics; in some cases - antibiotics; gargling with antiseptic solutions; hyposensitizing and detoxification therapy; multivitamins.

Possible complications with rubella :
To the very dangerous complications rubella in a child refers to meningoencephalitis(rubella encephalitis). The development period is from two to six weeks after the skin rash. The course of rubella encephalitis is quite long and severe. Over 60% of children who have had this form of encephalitis acquire serious changes in their psyche and motor function.
Also, serious diseases caused by rubella include viral meningitis.

Prevention:
General prevention in hotspots rubella is ineffective, since the activity of the virus begins long before the appearance visible symptoms diseases in infected children. In places where infection is spreading, frequent ventilation of the premises and wet cleaning are carried out. Strengthening the immune system reduces the likelihood of complications in the child. Many countries provide general vaccination preschool children(in some European countries, all children aged 1.5-2 years are vaccinated with the rubella vaccine. In others, only girls aged 9-13 years are vaccinated). After vaccination, approximately 98% of children develop antibodies, and stable immunity to the virus appears rubella. It is especially important that girls develop immunity to rubella before the onset of pregnancy - either as a result of an illness in childhood, or through vaccination. During pregnancy, vaccination with the rubella virus is strictly contraindicated.
Vaccination Rubella is also contraindicated in: development oncological diseases; immunodeficiency state of the body; allergic reaction for aminoglycosides. You should also not be vaccinated during treatment using blood products (vaccination in this case is indicated 3 months after or 3 weeks before the course).

Indications for termination of pregnancy in those who have not been vaccinated or have not had rubella in preschool age women:
Pregnant women without immunity to rubella Those who have visited the outbreak area or communicated with a rubella-infected person must undergo mandatory laboratory research to identify possible infection. If rubella disease is confirmed in the 1st trimester and even before 4-5 months of fetal development, an artificial termination of pregnancy is indicated. positive analysis it is indicated to terminate pregnancy even in the absence of visible rubella symptoms, taking into account the possibility of a hidden course of the disease.
When infected with rubella late stages pregnancy, the woman falls into the group high risk and is placed on special register. Treatment of placental insufficiency, prevention of miscarriage, and measures to protect the fetus are carried out.

Folk remedies for treating rubella :
For treatment of rubella You can recommend herbal preparations containing immunostimulating substances and facilitating expectoration.
- Prepare a mixture: elecampane root, marshmallow root, licorice root in equal proportions. Brew 2 teaspoons of the mixture per glass of boiling water (boil for 10 minutes) and then filter. Take 1/4 cup every 3 hours.
- Vitamin teas are very useful: lingonberries and rose hips 1:1 (brew in boiling water and drink 3 times a day); or black currant berries and rose hips 1:1 (brew in boiling water and drink 3 times a day); or take 1 part lingonberry berries, 3 parts rose hips, 3 parts nettle leaves (brew in boiling water and drink 3 times a day).

Rubella infection is one of the most common diseases in children. According to statistics, every second child under three years of age necessarily suffers from rubella. The disease is very common. In order to recognize a childhood viral infection in time and prevent complications, parents must know the main manifestations of the disease.

What is this?

Rubella has viral cause, it is caused by the tiny virus Rubella virus, which survives extremely poorly in the external environment. However, without special disinfection treatment, the virus can remain in the air for quite some time. for a long time . Under the influence of external factors, it dies very quickly. The following are detrimental to him: ultraviolet radiation , quartzization, impact high temperatures

and aggressive chemical liquids (formalin or compounds containing chlorine). The virus survives well under very low temperatures

ambient air. For this reason, more and more cases of rubella are recorded annually during the cold season. According to statistics, the peak incidence of rubella occurs between the ages of 2-10 years.

Causes

The virus, after passing through the development cycle in the child’s body, causes many unpleasant clinical symptoms in young children. A sick child acts as a source of infection. It should be noted that children may not always have acute manifestations of the disease. Approximately 15-20% of children can only be virus carriers for a long time and infect other children. Their disease usually occurs in an erased form.

If the child is on breastfeeding, he can easily become infected with rubella from his mother. Viruses, causing disease, have the smallest size and perfectly penetrate into breast milk through blood. If the mother gets sick with rubella, the baby will also get sick after a while.

In more rare cases, doctors note congenital form diseases. If a woman becomes infected with rubella during pregnancy, she passes the virus through the placenta to her unborn baby.

In tighter groups, the risk of getting sick is much higher. Scientists note that in major cities rubella occurs much more often than in rural areas. Typically, epidemic outbreaks are recorded every 5-6 years. Doctors note that the incidence of rubella among pregnant women increases every year. This unfavorable and even dangerous situation is primarily associated with insufficient vaccination against infection.

Stages of the disease

During the course of the disease there are several successive stages. After contact with a sick child, a healthy baby enters the body a large number of causative agents of rubella infection. In more crowded groups (kindergartens, schools, sport sections) the risk of infection increases several times.

You can get rubella in several ways:

• Airborne. In this case, viruses are transmitted from a sick child to a healthy one during communication or violations of personal hygiene rules. Children are very susceptible to the disease. A small amount of time and microorganisms are enough for infection to occur.
• Vertical. In this case, a pregnant woman infects her unborn baby through the placenta. Rubella viruses perfectly penetrate the placental barrier and reach the baby’s organs through the bloodstream. A child may remain contagious for several months after birth.
• Contact. Infection occurs through sharing common household items: bed linen and towels, mugs and tableware, toys, toothbrushes. Contact method rubella infection is most relevant for children attending kindergarten. Insufficient disinfection of toys leads to massive outbreaks of disease in preschool institutions.

On average, the incubation period of the disease is 2-3 weeks. This is the time from the moment the virus first enters the body until the development of clinical symptoms of the disease. As a rule, after 7-10 days from the moment the pathogen enters the body, the child becomes infectious.

The virus first invades the surface epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract. There it begins to actively reproduce. After some time, it already penetrates the lymph nodes and spreads throughout the body through the blood. At this time, the second week of the incubation period usually ends. If diagnostics are carried out, then it is during this period that it will be possible to detect a large number of viral particles in the mucus of the nasopharynx and pharynx.

At the end of the incubation period, the amount of virus in the body already reaches a huge amount. With the bloodstream, the pathogen spreads throughout the body, penetrating almost everything. internal organs. At this time, babies show the first symptoms of rubella infection.

How to recognize: first signs

Making a correct diagnosis during the incubation period is often quite difficult. The child is practically not bothered by anything. There are no skin manifestations yet. During the first three weeks from the moment of infection, the child may have a fever and a slight general weakness. Children at this time become more capricious, their mood worsens. However, these signs are not specific and do not allow one to suspect the disease. early stages.

First characteristic symptoms appear by the third week of illness. At this time, many groups of lymph nodes greatly increase. Changes the most lymphatic groups in the back of the head. They become so large that they can even be easily seen and felt. During examination of the neck, the baby does not feel pain.

Lymphatic groups of nodes located in the axillary area, in the groin and under the lower jaw. When palpated, they are quite large and dense. In some cases, you can even see some redness over the damaged skin. By the end of the third week, babies experience slight pain in the back of the head. It may intensify somewhat with sudden movements or turns of the head.

As a rule, 2-3 days after the end of the incubation period, a rash characteristic of rubella infection appears. First it appears on the scalp, neck, and also on the face. The rash consists of small red elements (from 2-4 mm). They can merge with each other, and various patterns appear. The rash does not itch. It occurs due to the fact that the virus, during its reproduction, releases toxic products into the blood. They damage blood capillaries and cause them to break.

The rash begins to rapidly spread throughout the body after 3-4 hours. Red elements can be seen on all areas except the palms and soles. This is also one of the characteristic clinical signs rubella infection. After 4 days, the elements of the rash gradually begin to turn white and decrease in diameter. After another 5-7 days, it completely disappears, leaving no disfiguring scars or scars on the body.

Most long time rubella rashes can persist on the skin of the buttocks, as well as the forearms with inside. During the rash period, the baby's well-being often improves. Despite the terrible appearance, the baby feels much better. At this time, body temperature normalizes, breathing improves, sleep and mood are restored.

During the period of skin manifestations, rubella infection is very similar to many other infectious diseases. skin diseases. The doctor must definitely carry out differential diagnosis. Other illnesses may also present with a rash. Any specialist will know how to distinguish a red infection from allergies or other childhood infections that can cause red elements to appear on the skin. Rubella rash has many distinctive features, which allow us to accurately make a correct diagnosis.

Forms of the disease

Rubella infection can occur in several forms.

In a typical or usual form of the disease, the child develops all classic symptoms illness (with the obligatory appearance of a rash). In some cases, an atypical variant occurs. With this option, there are no manifestations on the skin.

Making a diagnosis with an atypical variant becomes noticeably more complicated. This requires the use of special laboratory tests that will help verify the result and identify the exact causative agent of the infection.

Rubella is often disguised as many other childhood diseases, manifested by the appearance of a rash. At measles rubella, for example, also appear skin manifestations. However, with measles, the child’s well-being suffers to a greater extent. Children have a high fever and no appetite. The elements of the rash do not merge with each other. In order not to put false diagnosis, the doctor must monitor the baby from the very first hours of the disease.

Diagnostics

For differential diagnosis doctors may prescribe additional lab tests. The most common test is serological determination of rubella-specific antibodies. Blood from a vein is taken, as a rule, 5-10 days after the onset of the disease.

Treatment

In its development, rubella in young children is much easier than in adults. Only babies with reduced immunity or chronic diseases can experience life-threatening complications.

However, the appearance adverse consequences after rubella infection - a fairly rare occurrence.

Not everyone knows how difficult it is to cure rubella at home. If the disease occurs in a typical and fairly mild form, then treatment is carried out at home. The need for hospitalization in a children's infectious diseases hospital occurs only in complex cases when the disease develops in a severe form. The decision about treatment in a hospital setting is made by the attending pediatrician.

All children with severe manifestations of the disease or with adverse complications are hospitalized in the hospital. Not prescribed for the treatment of rubella infection antiviral drugs or antibiotics . All therapy comes down to compliance non-specific methods

• therapy. These include: Maintaining bed rest. For the entire period acute manifestations
• It is better for the baby to stay in bed. Once the rash appears, you can allow the child to get out of bed (but not earlier than a week after the first skin rash appears). Mandatory cleaning and processing disinfectants
• all items and toys that are in the baby’s room. Rubella viruses die very easily after exposure to such chemical agents. If you have a bactericidal or quartz lamp at home, it can also be used to disinfect the room. Drinking enough.
• To relieve intoxication symptoms, the baby must be given more fluids. This can be any drink up to 40 degrees. Hotter liquids can damage the oral mucosa and even cause ulcers. Choose compotes from dried fruits and berries, as well as various fruit drinks. During a viral infection, the baby’s need for many vitamins and microelements increases. There is a need for additional energy, which may be required to successfully fight the disease.
• Symptomatic treatment to eliminate the main symptoms. For a runny nose, various nasal drops are used. To improve the general condition, doctors prescribe antihistamines. They will reduce drowsiness and even slightly reduce skin manifestations. When the temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, antipyretics can be used. All medications to relieve the main symptoms of infection should be prescribed by the attending physician after a complete examination of the child.
• Get enough sleep. For quick recovery During an infection, the baby must sleep at least 10 hours a day. During this rest they recover protective forces the body, additional energy appears to fight infection.

Diet

To quickly recover from rubella and restore strength, you need special therapeutic nutrition. A diet for a viral infection must include everything necessary substances(in sufficient quantities). Medical nutrition, which is prescribed to children in acute period diseases include:

• Dividing meals into equal time intervals. Babies should eat every three to four hours. Breasts are applied to the breast every 2-2.5 hours. All portions should be approximately the same size.
• A gentle type of food processing. During the acute period, it is strictly forbidden to fry foods or bake them to form a rough crust. All solid food particles can damage the inflamed oral mucosa and increase soreness.
• Semi-liquid consistency. The more the products are crushed, the better for the baby. More liquid food is quickly digested and satiates children's body energy, without a feeling of heaviness.
• All dishes should be at a comfortable temperature. Food that is too hot or cold irritates the oropharynx and increases inflammation. Before serving, it is better to cool soups and hot dishes to a temperature of 35-40 degrees. To wash down your meal, you can prepare a warm compote or juice.
• Mandatory inclusion of protein products. For excellent immune function, a child needs to eat high-quality protein. Try to include foods containing different amino acids at each meal. Veal, lean poultry or fresh fish are perfect for this. You can complement the dish with a side dish of well-cooked cereal. For babies in their first year of life, pureed vegetable purees are perfect.
• Including foods rich in vitamins and microelements in the diet. To strengthen the immune system, be sure to add fruits and berries to your child’s diet. During the acute period, it is better to give preference to fruit purees or smoothies. They are easily digestible and charge the body with all the necessary microelements and vitamins.

Possible complications

Rubella is relatively mild and does not cause dangerous adverse effects in most children. Even in boys, the risk of developing serious post-infectious complications is much lower (compared to mumps).

Rubella causes the most adverse complications in pregnant women. If future mom If she didn’t get her vaccinations on time, her baby may develop developmental anomalies in utero. In the early stages of pregnancy, there is even a threat of miscarriage or fetal death.

Especially toxic effect In children, the rubella virus affects the nervous system and brain. The child may experience anencephaly, hydrocephalus, and visual impairment. In some cases, underdevelopment of the hearing organs occurs.

Enough frequent consequences There may be congenital heart defects and dysfunction of the heart valves. Babies develop heart valve defects and dislocation of large blood vessels in utero.

The rubella virus is very dangerous for the unborn baby. It literally slows down the development of vital important organs and systems in the fetus. In many cases, pregnant women cannot even carry to term and miscarriages occur. The virus also has a toxic effect on the formation of the immune system in the fetus. Underdevelopment of future immune defense cells leads to the birth of children with congenital immunodeficiencies.

From the very first days of life, such children are very susceptible to any (even the most harmless) infections and require mandatory medical supervision.

The most relatively prosperous period of pregnancy is the third trimester. If a pregnant woman becomes infected with the rubella virus at this time, then such pronounced negative consequences, as in the first six months of pregnancy, you shouldn’t wait. The formation of vital organs in the fetus is usually completed by this time. If infected at this time, the unborn baby may develop congenital immunodeficiency or chronic diseases

nervous system. In rare cases, hearing impairment occurs.

The most adequate and reliable preventive measure is vaccination. All children (from one year old) must be vaccinated against rubella. The first vaccination is given at one to one and a half years. When the child reaches the age of five to seven years, revaccination is carried out.

After vaccination, children are reliably protected from the unfavorable course of rubella infection. The course of the disease differs significantly between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Children who are up to date on their vaccinations can also become infected. However, they do not experience life-threatening complications.

You cannot become infected from a vaccinated person.

After the second vaccination (re-vaccination), children develop a very strong and strong immunity to the rubella virus.

Doctors recommend that all expectant mothers who are planning a pregnancy be vaccinated against rubella. At least three months must pass between vaccination and conception. This time is needed to develop a sufficient level of protective antibodies.

Kids get comprehensive vaccination from measles and mumps(simultaneously with rubella vaccinations). In all countries of the world, vaccination against these infections is mandatory and is included in national vaccination calendars. It is advisable to vaccinate before the child will go to kindergarten.

Rubella infection is a very common visitor. The infection usually progresses quite favorably, but the course of the disease must be carefully monitored. Timely diagnosis ensures proper monitoring of the baby throughout the illness.

For more details, see below in Dr. Komarovsky’s program about childhood rash.

The program “Live Healthy” tells many nuances about rubella.

• Rubella