Does rubella virus require treatment?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on September 16, 2024
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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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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.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Symptoms of Rubella Virus Infection

After infection with the rubella virus, the disease that develops is rubella. The rubella virus can be transmitted through ordinary airborne droplets and respiratory routes, and it can also be transmitted through close contact between people. The typical clinical symptoms include fever, a rash all over the body, and swelling of the lymph nodes behind the ears and at the back of the head. The clinical symptoms are relatively mild, the course of the disease is short, and the prognosis is good. However, if a pregnant woman is infected during the early stages of pregnancy, it can lead to severe consequences such as fetal deformities. In terms of treatment, it mainly involves symptomatic treatment and rest, with most people fully recovering in about two weeks.

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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.

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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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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.