Rubella

Term

Rubella is an acute systemic viral infection that causes fever and a diffuse fine rash, sometimes resembling measles or scarlet fever. One significant clinical sign of rubella is the enlargement of the occipital and cervical lymph nodes, which usually occurs 5-10 days before the rash appears. Sometimes, rubella can lead to complications such as meningitis or encephalitis. An RNA-containing virus of the Rubivirus genus causes rubella. People transmit it through respiratory droplets (sneezing, coughing, talking), contact (via environmental objects), and transplacentally (a pregnant woman infects the fetus). Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė