Serum - Protection from birth onwards
Frequently ask questions
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Rubella is a viral disease, which mainly affects the foetus. If a woman is infected with this virus during the first three months of pregnancy.
Rubella affects the foetus, if the mother is infected in the early months of her pregnancy. All girls aged 11 to 19 years and women in the childbearing age are at risk of developing Rubella.
Rubella is a contagious disease and spreads through air by coughing, sneezing, or simply talking.
It has been observed that around 40-45% of women in the childbearing age are susceptible to Rubella. Moreover it is surprising to know that over 2 lakh babies are born with birth defects because of Rubella infection during pregnancy in the Indian sub-continent.
Rubella infection during the early months of pregnancy may lead to congenital deformities (birth defects). These birth defects include deafness, cataract, heart defects and mental retardation in the newborns. Such children become social and economic burden for parents. Rubella can also lead to abortions. The chances of developing these deformities are very high if the infection occurs in the first three months of pregnancy. The following table gives the chances of a particular deformity developing:
| Hearing loss | 92% |
| Congenital Heart Disease | 65% |
| Impaired vision | 56% |
| Behaviour disorders | 32% |
| Neurological deficit residual | 26% |
| Hearing and visual defect | 19% |
| Diabetes mellitus | 01% |
The Rubella virus interferes with the development of organs in the foetus. Therefore, depending on the time of pregnancy and the organs developing during that time, the type and the chances of deformities developing in the child varies. The risk of deformities developing is as follows:
| Time of maternal infection | Result |
| 1-2 weeks | Harmless |
| 3-11 weeks | 100% infected fetus |
| 12 weeks | 80% infected fetus |
| 13-14 weeks | 54% infected fetus |
| 15-16 weeks | 35% infected fetus |
| 23-26 weeks | 25% infected fetus |
Unfortunately there is no treatment for Rubella. Vaccination is the only way to prevent all these complications.
Children can be protected against Rubella with a dose of MMR at 12-15 months. If missed anytime up to the age of 12-13 years. Moreover, a separate vaccine against Rubella is also available (R-Vac).
R-Vac should be given to:Even males should be vaccinated against Rubella because infected males can transmit this virus to the females of their family.
No, rubella vaccine is not to be taken by a pregnant woman. Pregnancy must be avoided for 28 days following R-Vac. This is a precaution that must be taken.
Vaccine against Rubella offers long-term protection. Clinical reports state that sufficient antibodies are present in the blood even after 21 years of vaccination.
Usually both R-Vac as well as MMR (Tresivac) is well tolerated. However, in rare cases there are some chances of mild reactions like low fever.
Disclaimer:
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only and subject to change. You are encouraged to review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON THIS SITE.