Chapter 22, Problem 2A

Summary Introduction

To review:

The reason for vaccinating the children of a woman, who is planning to conceive.

Introduction:

Rubella or Germanmeasles is a contagious disease, which can be caused by a virus called rubella virus (single-stranded RNA or ribonucleic acid virus belonging to paramyxovirus family). This disease is difficult to diagnose and is typically mild. The incubation period of rubella disease is from 10 to 12 days. The virusmultiplies majorly in the respiratory tract of the host body and can spread to the lymphatic system andthentoother body parts.

This disease is acquired by the respiratory tract, which is highly contagious and can affect other humans. For the treatment of rubella, no antiviral treatment is currently available and it can beprevented by vaccinations by attenuated vaccine after the age of 12 months. The effective protection against rubella isthe MMR (measles–mumps–rubella) vaccine.