The symptoms and treatment of German measles

The causative agent of German measles belongs to the family Togaviridae and is the only one of the genus Rubivirus. To 1834.. measles rubella was considered one of the species of Cory.

Nosological unit measles rubella was recognized in 1881. in the framework of the International Congress, held in England. However, until about the middle of the XX century due to the mild pathology and the small number of recorded complications of the disease, flowing in the classic scenario, the disease almost did not attract attention of specialists.

In 1942. ophthalmologist from Austria N. M. Greg noted the increase in the frequency of birth defects and cases of cataracts in babies born after the epidemic of German measles. Over time, this fact was confirmed by numerous studies, which revealed teratogenic effects of the causative agent to the fetus, causing the defeat of many organs and systems.

The symptoms of German measles

Measles measles can be of two types: congenital and acquired. In the first case, the pathogen enters the body of the fetus with the mother's blood, and frequency of infection during pregnancy depends on the presence of future mother's immunity to this infectious disease.

Acquired measles rubella is caused by air-droplet way of transmission. The pathogen begins to stand out from the nasopharynx of an infected person for at least a week before the appearance of the characteristic clinical symptoms – rash, in addition, this process can continue for several days after the disappearance of the rash. The maximum risk of infection falls on the first day the rash appears.

Subclinical forms of pathology are considered the most dangerous to the environment of the sick person, it is important to note that this form of the disease is most prevalent. Infection occurs only by direct contact with patients, often in close and prolonged communication. The disease is characterized by high contagiousness (70-90 %).

The mother's immunity to the causative agent of rubella provides immunity of the child to the disease in the first year of life. The most often pathology in age from two to nine years.

The incubation period of rubella lasts 11-21 day. If the disease is accompanied by severe clinical manifestations, which is typical for 70-80% of cases, after the end of the incubation period, prodromal occurs, lasting up to two days.

A regular symptom of measlesrubella is considered poliadenit, flowing with a moderate increase zadnesheynyh and occipital lymph nodes. In such patients, they become dense and painful on palpation. Swollen lymph nodes can be so pronounced that a similar manifestation of the disease becomes noticeable.

In addition, during this period of the disease increases temperature of body to 37,5–38 °C, it is noted unexpressed catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, the conjunctiva, the visible rosealina enanthema on the surface of the hard palate.

The rash of measles rubella cover the whole body, and the nature of the rash – ROPERTY and maculopapular. Individual items not merge with each other. The maximum concentration of a rash noted on the extremities, back, buttocks and outer thighs.

On the second day, and sometimes at the end of the first day of the disease the number of lesions is reduced, and the entities themselves are small, reminiscent of the manifestation of scarlet fever. Completely the rash disappears after three days without leaving residue and flaking.

In adolescence acquired rubella is more severe than in children. In patients, the symptoms of intoxication, the temperature rises to febrile values, there are chills, muscle pain, catarrhal phenomena in the form of dry cough, itchy throat, conjunctivitis, rhinitis. The rash in this case is more pronounced, spotted, and some spots can merge with each other.

Girls when measles rubella can be arthritis and arthralgia. Clinical symptoms of rubella in this case expressed as pain, redness, swelling of the joints. More often affects joints of the upper extremities (fingers, elbow joints) and knee joints. These symptoms occur a week after the rash and are held in the following week.

In rare cases, thrombocytopenia, approximately half of the cases it becomes chronic.

The most serious consequence of the pathology is considered to be an autoimmune encephalitis, it occurs in one out of 5,000 or 6,000 cases of measles rubella, the most common is a complication amongst pupils and adult patients. When involvement of the meninges occurs meningoencephalitis.

The maximum risk to patients are Central disorders of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The number of deaths in this case is 20-35 %. 30% of patients after the passage of the clinical symptoms of measles rubella marked residual effects.

In ProductID="1975" 1975. was first recorded cases of progressive panencephalitis krasnoselo of registered patients aged 10 to 20 years. The complication is accompanied by decrease of coordination and intelligence. The disease takes a chronic course and ends with the death of patients after 1-10 years.

Krasochnyi panencephalitis brain is accompanied by changes in white matter, it becomes gray and soft due to demyelination and loss of glial cells, as well as in connection with vascular lesions of the brain. The nature of the immunopathologic process in this case.

Treatment of German measles

To date, no specific treatment of measles rubella, congenital and acquired. Pathogenetic therapy helps to prevent the development of serious complications (encephalitis, brain edema, fever, seizures).

Patients in which the disease occurs without complications are treated at home. They need bed rest during the acute manifestations of the symptoms of the disease and symptomatic therapy.

Measles congenital rubella treated in a specialized hospital, and the therapy depends on the clinical manifestations.