German Measles
German measles is also known as Rubella. This is the “R” in the MR -SIA which is measles rubella supplemental immunization activity.
In MR -SIA, an extra dose of the measles and rubella vaccine is given to boost the immunity and protection of the patient against measles and rubella.
Rubella is an acute infection caused by rubella virus that will cause fever, rashes which are exanthem and retroauricular and suboccipital adenopathy.
Why are we so serious in controlling and avoiding this infection?
It is because of its teratogenic potentials on the fetuses of women who are infected with the virus in the first trimester of pregnancy. The virus can result to a congenital rubella syndrome.
The incubation period of rubella is 2 to 3 weeks. It may appear initially as mild measles. It mas start as a low- grade fever with mild catarrhal symptoms.
Then pinkish maculopapular rashes may appear on the face and chest that may spread to the extremities. These rashes may last for 2 or 3 days and may disappear without any pigmentation nor desquamation.
On the 3rd to fifth day, the retroauricular and suboccipital adenopathy may appear. Some patients may have polyarthralgia and polyarthritis.
The complications of rubella infection are:
– encephalitis
– sinusitis
– and otitis media.
To be protected from this virus , it is important to be fully vaccinated with a live rubella virus vaccine.
We are giving MMR at 6-9 months of age, another dose at 1yr and 3 months of age and another booster dose at 4-6 years of age.
So, be immunize! Be protected!