A nonimmune patient may develop rubella following exposure to someone with an active infection.
Most cases of acquired rubella are subclinical.
Clinical findings:
(1) The prodrome consists of fever, headache, anorexia and malaise.
(2) A patient develops a maculopapular skin rash that starts on face, spreads to the trunk and then spreads to the extremities. The skin may desquamate during the convalescent period. The rash lasts for 3 to 5 days.
(3) The patient may develop a conjunctivitis, keratitis, iritis and retinitis.
(4) The patient may develop coryza.
(5) Petechial lesions (Forscheimer spots) may be found on the soft palate.
Most patients recover without problems.
If the diagnosis is in doubt then the patient can be tested for IgM antibodies or a rise in anti-rubella antibodies.
Occasional complications:
(1) arthritis or arthralgias
(2) encephalitis
(3) thrombocytopenia
(4) hepatitis
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