 Communicable from about 10 days

before until 5 days after rash appears.

 Also called German Measles
A ribonucleic acid virus enters the
bloodstream ,usually through the
respiratory route
 The incubation period lasts 14-21
days, with a duration of 3 days.
 The rash is thought to result from
virus dissemination to the skin.
 Rubella virus (Togavirus) spread
by direct contact or
contaminated airborne
respiratory droplets.
 Measles symptoms
appear 7-14 Days
after exposure to the
virus, symptoms
typically include :
• High fever
the cheek (Koplik spot)
• Cough
• A rash made up of
• Runny nose large, flat blotches.
• Red watery • The first sign of rubella is
eyes(conjunctiva) usually fever, along the
• Tiny white spotsinside “Three C’s”
the mouth on the inner (cough,coryza,or
lining of conjunctiva).
 Occurs worldwide
 Most common among children ages
5-9, adolescents, and young adults.
 Epidemics seen in institutions,
colleges,and military populations.
 Flourishes during spring, with limited
outbreaks in school and workplaces.
 Rash covering the trunk and body,
begins to fade in the opposite order in
which it appeared by the end of day
2.
 Rash subsiding on the face, on the
trunk may be confluent and hard to
distinguish from scarlet fever rash.
 Rash appearing on day 3.
 Arthritis
 Postinfectious
encephalitis
 Thrombocytopenic purpura
 Congenital rubella.
 Intrauterinedeath
 Spontaneous abortion
 Congenital malformation of major
organs system
 Ask about allergies, especially to
neomycin .****
 If the person is a female of
childbearing age, ask if shes
pregnant. If she is or thinks she may
be, don’t give the vaccine. ****
 Give thevaccine for 3 mos.
 Avoid exposing children to any person with
fever or with acute catarrhal symptoms.
 Isolation of cases from diagnosis until 5-7
days onset of rash.
 Infection of all articles soiled with
secretions of nose and throat .
 Encourage health department and by
private physician ofadministration of
measles immune globulin to succeptible
infants and children under 3 yrs of age in
families or institutions where measles occurs
 Watch for abdominal pain, can mean
involvement of the pancreas in either sex
or involvement of the ovaries in girls.
 In boys, watch for high fever with pain,
swelling of the testicles.
 Isolation until swelling subside.
 Bed rest until swelling subside.
 Liquid or soft food, restrict food
containing acid.
 Emphasize the need for immediate isolation
when early catarrhal symptoms appear.
 Observe closely the patient for
complications during and after the acute
stage.
 Teach, demonstrate, guide,and supervise
adequate nursing care indicated.
 Explain proceeding in proper disposal of
nose and throat discharge.