ADOLESCENT IMMUNISATION FOR RUBELLA

Also called as German Measles as it was described by a German physician in 1700. The condition resembles classical measles only as far as the skin lesions are concerned. It is a disease caused by a virus, for which humans are the only natural host. Rubella is spread by oral droplets or transplacentally through congenital infection.

First reported in 1941 by Gregg - an Australian physician, Rubella infection causes congenital anomalies in babies born of a Rubella infected mother. The difficulty is, only one of three cases are detected clinically. A high index of suspicion in situations, where the adolescent has skin rashes and painful lymph nodes at the base of the neck would lead to greater identification of the disease early.

But there is a silver lining and that is the availability of an effective vaccine since 1969 in USA and now in India. This vaccine may be given along with other vaccines like Measles, Mumps or even as a mono vaccine. Use of Rubella vaccine had resulted in the lowering of the incidence of Rubella. Unfortunately, since the 1990 there has been an upsurge of this infection mostly in the adolescents. Reason could be the waning of the immunity achieved at the age of 15 months. A booster dose at adolescence could prevent the upsurge of Rubella.

But before we end there are just a few caveats to remember

1. Remember to tell the doctor if the adolescent girl has missed a period so that Rubella vaccination can be deferred.

2. Avoid pregnancy for 3 months after the immunisation or after a blood transfusion.

The author Dr. Vedavathi Subramaniam is a Paediatric Consultant for Adolescents and can be contacted at the following address
New # 23, Old # 5, Dr Natesan Salai, Ashok Nagar, Chennai - 600 083.
Phone : 489 2197 / 489 0336

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