Rubella and neonatal effects Rubella is an essentially harmless disease that resembles measles, however it is highly teratogenic to the developing fetus. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, the fetus is at risk of developing congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) which can cause tissue and organ damage. Appropriate nursing interventions and teaching should be carried out to prevent the spread of rubella and reduce CRS.A rates. History and epidemiology of rubella Until the 18th century, rubella was often confused with measles and scarlet fever. In 1952 and 1958, two German scientists managed to isolate the rubella virus which was given the name “German measles” until 1866, when a Scottish doctor gave it the name “rubella” (Duszack, 2010). Rubella is spread through droplet transmission and contact. It replicates in the host's respiratory tract, spreads to the lymph nodes, and from there to the rest of the body (Yazdami, McGhee, & Stiehm, 2011). Normal Signs and Symptoms of Rubella Rubella begins as a red rash, which starts on the face and quickly spreads to the rest of the body. The rash is usually accompanied by mild fever and swollen lymph nodes, however other symptoms such as eye pain, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and nausea also accompany rubella symptoms. The rash begins to coalesce and form “pinpoint papules” that look very similar to scarlet fever and usually last 5-8 days (Yazdami et al., 2011). Rubella infection in pregnancy In pregnancy, the rubella virus progresses as in pregnancy. a non-pregnant woman, however, the virus also affects the fetus. The rubella virus can cross the placenta, attacking the developing blood vessels of the fetus, which lead to the organ... middle of paper...d Procedures. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/968523-followup#a2644Ola, R. (2008). Rubella (acquired and congenital), Washington State Department of Health. Retrieved from http://www.doh.wa.gov/notify/guidelines/pdf/rubella.pdfDuszack, R., S. (2009). Congenital rubella syndrome: major review. Optometry - Journal of the American Optometric Association, 80(1), 36-43. doi:10.1016/j.optm.2008.03.006Strebel, P., Dabbagh, A., Gacic-Dobo M., Reef S.E., & Cochi, S. (2010). Progress towards rubella control and prevention of congenital rubella syndrome – worldwide 2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 59(40):1307-1310. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/730825 Yazdami, S., McGhee, S. A., & Stiehm, R. (2011). Complex chronic diseases of childhood: a practical guide for doctors. Boca Raton, FL: BrownWalker Press.