Childhood rubella is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the rubella virus, characterized by mild upper respiratory tract inflammation, fever, systemic red maculopapular rash, and enlargement of the lymph nodes behind the ear, occipital area, and neck. Although the condition is usually mild with a good prognosis, the virus is highly contagious, mainly spread through droplets such as coughing, talking, or sneezing.
Proper home care is crucial when dealing with childhood rubella. The affected child should rest in bed, the environment should have fresh air, the diet should be nutrient-rich and easily digestible, and additional vitamins should be provided. For symptoms like fever and headache, antipyretic and analgesic drugs can be used; sore throat can be relieved by gargling with a compound borax solution, and cough can be managed with expectorants and cough suppressants. In more severe cases, doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs like ribavirin or interferon for treatment.
In case of potential complications such as encephalitis, treatment will follow the principles of treating viral encephalitis; for mild arthritis, no special treatment is usually required, and pain can be managed with analgesics along with local heat application or physiotherapy; severe purpura or bleeding tendencies may require corticosteroid therapy, even blood transfusions and platelet infusions.
Considering the potential significant impact of childhood rubella on children’s health, parents should emphasize disease prevention and timely treatment. Neglecting or delaying treatment not only prolongs the child’s illness but may also lead to more health issues. Therefore, enhancing awareness and understanding of such common pediatric diseases is crucial to protecting children from harm.
