Rubella Prevention and Treatment

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional. May contain affiliate links. Product photos/descriptions provided by company websites. This is not medical advice.

What causes it?

Rubella, per the CDC, is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It is also called “German measles,” but it is caused by a different virus than measles. Rubella virus is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA virus classified as a Rubivirus in the Matonaviridae family.¹

Rubella spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person with rubella may spread the disease to others up to one week before the rash appears, and remain contagious up to 7 days after. However, 25% to 50% of people infected with rubella do not develop a rash or have any symptoms, but they still spread it to others.¹

People infected with rubella should tell friends, family, and people they work with, especially pregnant women, if they have rubella. If your child has rubella, it’s important to tell your child’s school or daycare provider.¹

What are the symptoms?

According to the CDC, rubella is usually mild in children, with few noticeable symptoms. For children who do have symptoms, a red rash is typically the first sign. The rash generally first appears on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body, and lasts about three days. Other symptoms that may occur 1 to 5 days before the rash appears include:

a low-grade fever
headache
mild pink eye (redness or swelling of the white of the eye)
general discomfort
swollen and enlarged lymph nodes
cough
runny nose

Most adults who get rubella usually have a mild illness, with low-grade fever, sore throat, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Some adults may also have a headache, pink eye, and general discomfort before the rash appears.

About 25 to 50% of people infected with rubella will not experience any symptoms per the CDC.

Pregnant Women

The CDC lists several serious complications if a pregnant women is exposed to rubella. However, be sure to read the adverse reactions listed on the MMR manufacturer insert below to make an informed decision on recommended prevention products.

Prevention

Rubella, per the CDC, is transmitted primarily through direct or droplet contact from nasopharyngeal secretions. Humans are the only natural hosts. In temperate climates, infections usually occur during late winter and early spring.¹

The average incubation period of rubella virus is 17 days, with a range of 12 to 23 days. People infected with rubella are most contagious when the rash is erupting, but they can be contagious from 7 days before to 7 days after the rash appears.¹

Patients with rubella should be isolated for 7 days after they develop rash.¹

According to the CDC, the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended to prevent Rubella and its potential complications. However, be sure to read the manufacturer insert for all known adverse reactions:

Additionally, the CDC states the following about the MMR vaccine:

MMR vaccine is a lyophilized preparation of measles virus vaccine live, an attenuated line of measles virus, derived from Enders’ attenuated Edmonston strain and propagated in chick embryo cell culture; mumps virus vaccine live, the Jeryl Lynn strain of mumps virus propagated in chick embryo cell culture; and rubella virus vaccine live, the Wistar RA 27/3 strain of live attenuated rubella virus propagated in WI-38 human diploid lung fibroblasts. MMRV vaccine contains measles, mumps, and rubella virus of equal titer and identical to those in the MMR vaccine. The titer of Oka varicella zoster virus is higher in MMRV vaccine than in single-antigen varicella vaccine, a minimum of 9,772 plaque-forming units (PFU) versus 1,350 PFU, respectively. MMR and MMRV vaccines are supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and are reconstituted with sterile, preservative-free water and vaccine contains gelatin. MMR and MMRV vaccines are administered by the subcutaneous route. Each dose of MMR and MMRV vaccine contains neomycin as an antibiotic. It contains no adjuvant or preservative.
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention

Diagnosis

Per the CDC, “Clinical diagnosis of rubella virus is unreliable and should not be considered in assessing immune status. Up to half of all infections may be subclinical or unapparent. Many rubella infections are not recognized because the rash resembles many other rash illnesses.”

The rash, according to the CDC, usually occurs initially on the face and then progresses from head to foot. It lasts about 3 days and is occasionally pruritic. The rash is fainter than a measles rash, does not coalesce, and is often more prominent after a hot shower or bath. Postauricular, posterior cervical, and suboccipital nodes may be involved.

Arthralgia (joint pain) and arthritis are rare in children and adult males but occur frequently in adult women. Joint symptoms tend to occur at about the same time or shortly after the rash appears and may last for up to 1 month. Fingers, wrists, and knees are often affected. Chronic arthritis is rare. Other symptoms of rubella include conjunctivitis, testalgia, or orchitis. Small, red (Forschheimer) spots may be noted on the soft palate but are not diagnostic for rubella.

Treatment

According to the CDC, “There is no specific medicine to treat rubella or make the disease go away faster. In many cases, symptoms are mild. For others, mild symptoms can be managed with bed rest and medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen.” Be sure to read the manufacturer insert for acetaminophen.

Ideal for any illness, ensure adequate hydration and provide a nutritious diet. Prioritize foods high in B-vitamins, iron, and antioxidants while eliminating inflammatory foods high in artificial ingredients and sugar.

If symptoms include joint pain, inflammation, or swelling (arthritis), be sure to treat them as well. For products to help with symptom treatment, see “products to research” below. If you are concerned about your symptoms or your child’s symptoms, contact your doctor.

To prevent spreading to others, remain at home with limited contact with others especially pregnant or immunocompromised individuals.

Homeopathy

The homeopathic remedies recommended for rubella are the same recommended for measles based on symptoms.² Below are some to research:

First Line of Medicines:

Bryonia alba 30C pellets, two doses daily
Belladonna 3C in liquid for high temperature, one dose every 30 minutes until the temperature is stable
Ipecac 30C, one dose every hour if necessary for accompanying colds and coughs

Second Line of Medicines: