RINGEL RUBELLA

Person-to-person

When sneezing, coughing or speaking, tiny spittle droplets are passed on from person to person in the air. The viruses can also be passed on via the hands, e.g. when a patient sneezes into his hands and then shakes hands with a healthy person. From the hand, the pathogens can then be spread on the mucous membranes of nose or mouth and cause contagion.

Pregnant women may pass on the pathogens to their unborn child, depending on whether the mother develops symptoms or the disease progresses without bring noticed. The unborn child is highly endangered by this.

Via contaminated objects

The pathogens are highly resistant in the environment as well. Affected objects such as door handles or toys can spread the viruses and cause contagion.

Via blood conserves

In rare cases, transfer is possible by blood conserves contaminated with viruses.

Pre-school children are most at risk for becoming infected with the pathogen. Older children, adolescents and adults may also catch the disease. Among adults, the otherwise usually mild disease will often have a more severe progress.

Pregnant women who have not had the disease in childhood are especially at risk, since they have no defence against the pathogen. The virus may be transferred to the unborn child as late as the 20th week of pregnancy. Blood production of the unborn child may be damaged in a life-threatening manner. Miscarriage or stillbirth may be the consequence of this.

Persons with immune deficiencies or who have an acquired or hereditary disease of the blood system are also at greater risk.

• The symptoms usually do not need to be treated, since the disease is usually harmless, particularly in children. The patients should stay in bed if they suffer from fever, muscle or joint pain.
• Patients should not cough or sneeze into their hands. The best option is to use disposable handkerchiefs that are disposed of immediately after being used. Patients should then wash their hands thoroughly.
• Patients suffering from fever can take an antipyretic.
• Once patients are recovering, chapped or flaking skin can be treated with a topical skincare product.
• Pregnant women who have had contact with patients should seek medical advice from their local GP or attending doctor as soon as possible.
• Staff working in care facilities for pre-school children in particular must be informed of the potential risks of this pathogen before (or no later than when) starting their employment.
• Pregnant women without adequate protection against the pathogen should not work in facilities for pre-school children up to and including the 20th week of their pregnancy. For further details, please see the applicable occupational safety and health regulations.

• Avoid contact with persons who may have become infected with the pathogen.

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water.
• Do not touch your face and specifically your mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands.

Your local health authority can provide you with further advice and information, and has considerable experience with handling this disease.

More information on the illness itself is also available online from the Robert Koch Institute (www.kinderaerzte-im-netz.de).

For information on how hygiene can guard against infection, please visit the Federal Centre for Health Education website (www.infektionsschutz.de).