Pediatrics

These symptoms can be recognized by rubella

introduction

The rubella are one of the classic teething troubles and are a viral disease. To distinguish it from other infectious diseases, especially rubella, the symptoms, such as the typical skin rash, can be considered.

The rubella are caused by the Parvovirus B19 triggered and mostly go unnoticed, especially in children, or as a simple cold with a rash. Rubella are particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn children.

More information is available here: Rubella, rubella during pregnancy

Typical symptoms of rubella

In many cases, rubella infection is not recognized as such, as the course is harmless and resembles a mild cold.

Possible symptoms are:

to cough
sniff
an increase in body temperature
possibly swollen lymph nodes in the neck area
a headache
a general feeling of illness

The most noticeable symptom of rubella is the rash, which begins in a butterfly shape on the face and about a week after the infection occurs and itself spreads over the body. In rare cases, people with a weakened immune system can develop severe disease.

Find out more about the topic here: Ringlet rubella.

This is what the rash looks like

About a week after infection, rubella develops the eponymous rash. At first, a butterfly-shaped, coarse-spotted reddening appears on the face, which is why the disease is popularly also "Face Slapping Disease " is called.

Find out more about the topic here: Rash with rubella

Over the next two days, the rash spreads all over the body. They come first Upper arms and legs added. The rash particularly affects the arms and legs and less the trunk.

After a few days, the coarse-spotted rash turns into individual reddish ringlets that stretch over the body in a garland shape. The areas between the ringlets are now rather pale. The ringlets disappear after a few days and can become more clearly visible again when exposed to sunlight or stress.

The rash can itch and make the skin feel tight. After healing is the skin scaly and rough and therefore needs more care for some time. The rash is not clearly visible in all those affected and in some cases it does not appear at all, which does not, however, speak against a rubella infection.

Those affected are contagious even if there is no rash.

You might also be interested in: Skin rash in children - what is the underlying disease?

Overview of the various possible symptoms

itching

As with all childhood illnesses with a rash, rubella can also cause itching. The rash is the trigger for the possible itching. The rubella does not necessarily have to itch. Even after the rubella has healed, the skin may continue to itch because the skin is dry and flaky. The itching can be soothed with nourishing creams.

In the case of an itchy rash, a pediatrician should be consulted to confirm the disease and differentiate it from an allergic reaction or other infectious diseases.

fever

Fever is a natural defense reaction of our body and a sign that the body is fighting an infection. Children in particular react quickly to infectious diseases with a fever. This also applies to rubella infections. The body temperature increases significantly in a relatively short time and can be reduced with paracetamol. The increased body temperature often goes with it chills and Exhaustion hand in hand. In babies with a fever, a pediatrician should be consulted at an early stage.

Without a fever

A lack of rise in body temperature does not rule out rubella infection. On the one hand, the increase can disappear completely and, on the other hand, those affected can develop a fever later. If there is no fever, rubella disease is often not recognized as such, as no doctor is consulted and the children also make an overall impression of less sickness.

If there is a known outbreak of rubella in the day-care center, a doctor should nevertheless be consulted if there are other applicable symptoms.

Vomit

In children, many infectious diseases cause general malaise, which in some cases can include nausea and vomiting. Although the virus itself does not usually cause gastrointestinal complaints, those affected can still vomit. If the gastrointestinal symptoms intensify, the diagnosis should be reconsidered, as it may be a different pathogen. Some medications can also cause nausea and vomiting. This includes, for example, the fever reducer ibuprofen.

diarrhea

Like vomiting, diarrhea is not a typical symptom of rubella infection. However, digestive problems can also occur as part of a general feeling of illness. Since other pathogens are also possible, the diagnosis of rubella should be reconsidered and not only accepted because it is more common in kindergarten.

If symptoms persist, a doctor should be consulted. In the case of diarrhea, care must be taken to ensure that sufficient amounts of water are consumed, especially with small children.

Joint pain

In some cases, rubella infection can involve the small joints. This particularly affects women and girls. Adults in particular often do not have the typical rash, but rather pain in the joints. The joint pain is an inflammatory reaction of the body, which is initiated as a defense against the virus.

The joint inflammation leads to severe pain and requires rest and rest. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to two months. Usually the joint inflammations heal on their own. Warmth and commercially available pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, can relieve the symptoms.

Joint inflammation is one of the complications of rubella infection and is not one of the common symptoms. Those affected with weakened immune systems suffer more often from complicated courses of the disease and thus more often from joint inflammation.

You might also be interested in: Rubella in adults

Sore throat

A rubella infection is often a typical common cold. This also includes a sore throat with possible involvement of the tonsils and the upper respiratory tract. The sore throat can lead to difficulty swallowing and cause a general feeling of illness. Improvement can often be achieved with Lollipops and tea to reach.

In the case of purulent tonsils, an additional bacterial infection that requires treatment should be considered, as children in particular often develop purulent tonsillitis later due to a viral disease such as rubella.

to cough

The urge to cough is a protective reflex of the body and is intended to remove foreign bodies from the airways. The irritated, inflamed throat can lead to an incorrectly induced urge to cough and a dry cough. In the case of purulent sputum when coughing, an additional bacterial infection must be considered again. In severe cases, pneumonia can also be the cause of the cough. Lollipops and tea can calm the stimulus in the throat and thus also lead to an improvement in the cough.

stomach pain

Abdominal pain is a common and unspecific symptom. If you are generally unwell, many diseases, including rubella, are accompanied by abdominal pain. Children in particular very often report their feeling of illness as stomach ache. The virus itself rarely causes digestive problems, which is why the abdominal pain is often considered to be psychosomatic. However, it should not be forgotten that the person affected can also have other or other diseases that are not considered in addition to rubella.

fatigue

A body that is fighting against pathogens needs all of its energy for healing. Those affected with rubella can therefore complain of exhaustion and tiredness. This is a natural response from the body. Those affected need more rest and sleep and have less energy for other activities. Fatigue is particularly pronounced during periods of fever, as the body increases its energy requirements with every additional degree of temperature.

a headache

Some people with rubella complain of headaches. These can have different causes. Some people tend to have frequent headaches and therefore have more headaches with infectious diseases.

Drinking too little, especially when the need is increased due to a fever, can lead to headaches.

In toddlers with a fever, headaches should always consider the possibility of meningitis, which is why they should be presented to a pediatrician.