Rubella or German measles is an infection causes by a virus called “Rubella”. This names comes form Latin and its mean “little red”. What about the second name “German measles”, this ones is given because the the German physicians described for the first time this disease. This disease is so mild that even isn’t wort writing about it, still can cause complications to the unborn babies, and that’s why a vaccine has been developed. The symptoms last three days and its main characteristic fine red rash.

After infection there will be an incubation which last almost three weeks, but unlike the other skin infections this disease is contagions even in incubation period and after the rash disappearance, for almost two weeks, the person will still spread the virus. This virus multiply itself in the respiratory system (nose, throat, etc.), and use the saliva secretions or mucus to spread itself. The virus can be also contracted by contact with a infected tissue. The real problem is the possibility of infection form the pregnant mother to her unborn child.

The first symptom which occurs is a rash which affects the face and therefore the entire body. After three days this rash will dissipate starting with the face. Other symptoms are:

• Temperature;
• Mild headache;
• Stuffy nose;
• Swollen lymph nodes;
• Join pain;
• Conjunctivitis;

Usually this symptoms aren’t even noticed and this infection disappears as it appears. Still the adults will fell this disease more then the children.

In the rubella case the antibiotics are helpless because the cause is an virus, and that why the treatment deals with the symptoms. In the rubella cases is recommended to:

• Rest in bed and drink a lot of liquids
• Use paracetamol when the pain and fever become insupportable, but never use aspirin. Latest studies showed a link between aspirin, viral infections and Reye’s syndrome (a fatal disease)
• Infected pregnant women should use antibiotics like hyper-immune globulin to deal with this virus, this will help with the symptoms but will do nothing for the unborn baby.