The impact of rubella virus on the fetus

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on December 08, 2024
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During pregnancy, if the pregnant woman is infected with the rubella virus, the impact on the pregnant woman herself is not significant; however, it primarily causes severe effects on the fetus. The main impact on the fetus is congenital damage, primarily involving congenital developmental abnormalities, with the early stages of pregnancy being the most critical. This period is a crucial phase of fetal development. If infected with the rubella virus, the risk coefficient can be as high as 80%. After intrauterine infection of the fetus, some patients may develop congenital rubella syndrome, primarily involving cardiac defects, cataracts, deafness, and even delayed brain damage after the baby is born.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What medicine is used to treat rubella virus?

Regarding the treatment of rubella, it mainly involves symptomatic treatment, and there are no specific antiviral drugs for treatment. Rubella is a self-limiting disease, most of which can fully recover without recurrence, and generally does not leave sequelae. After infection, a certain level of immunity is acquired, and if re-infected, the symptoms are usually milder or even asymptomatic. Generally, patients can recover in about two weeks. If there are obvious symptoms of fever and joint pain, symptomatic treatment can be carried out, such as using some antipyretics and pain relievers.

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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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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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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 Liu Li
Pediatrics
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Can pediatric rubella be self-healing?

Children's rubella generally cannot heal on its own. Rubella in children is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by viral infection, primarily occurring in children aged 1-5 years, mostly seen in preschool children. It can occur in all four seasons, but the incidence is relatively higher in the winter and spring. Generally, this disease cannot heal on its own; it requires antiviral medication for better improvement. Without antiviral treatment, children will suffer more.