Rubella IgM antibodies

Rubella is an acute viral infection characterized by fever, maculopapular rash, and lymph node reaction. In children, rubella is a completely mild disease: all clinical symptoms are mild, the disease passes quickly, and complications are extremely rare. The biggest problem rubella poses is for pregnant women: the rubella virus is known for its strong teratogenic (causing gene or chromosome mutations, disturbances in embryo development) effects, so if a pregnant woman contracts rubella, there is a high risk of congenital defects.

The source of infection is those suffering from rubella. They spread the infection most when they have a rash, but they also release the virus into the environment a few days before and after the rash. The rubella virus is excreted from the infected person's body for about two weeks: up to 10 days before the rash appears and a few days after the rash.

Rubella is not a severe disease, the rash can be barely noticeable, so sometimes people go through it without knowing. However, such individuals are particularly dangerous as a source of infection to others. Both children and adults are susceptible to rubella. The infection spreads through airborne droplets. Infection occurs when being in the same room with an infected person. Pregnant women working with children (e.g., in kindergartens, schools, etc.) can be infected by children suffering from mild, sometimes even unnoticed forms of rubella.

The incubation period for rubella lasts 15-24 days. Children or adults go through it easily: they may have a fever for 2–3 days and develop a rash that lasts from a few hours to 2–3 days. Often, the occipital lymph nodes enlarge during rubella, but this is not a reliable diagnostic sign. This disease is very dangerous for pregnant women because congenital rubella syndrome, which can cause fetal malformations, is possible. The earlier in pregnancy the infection occurs, the more severe the malformations. If contracted early in pregnancy, miscarriages often occur. If contracted during the first trimester, there is a greater than 80% chance that these women's babies will be born with severe heart and brain defects, or will be blind or deaf. Therefore, if it is determined that a pregnant woman has an acute rubella infection, termination of pregnancy is often recommended.