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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

No treatment will shorten the course of rubella infection, and symptoms are usually so mild that treatment usually isn't necessary. However, doctors often recommend isolation from others — especially pregnant women — during the infectious period.

If you contract rubella while you're pregnant, discuss the risks to your baby with your doctor. If you wish to continue your pregnancy, you may be given antibodies called hyperimmune globulin that can fight off the infection. This can reduce your symptoms, but doesn't eliminate the possibility of your baby developing congenital rubella syndrome.

Support of an infant born with congenital rubella syndrome varies depending on the extent of the infant's problems. Children with multiple complications may require early treatment from a team of specialists.

References
  1. Hornig M, et al. Lack of association between measles virus vaccine and autism with enteropathy: A case-control study. PLoS ONE. 2008;3:e3140.
  2. MMR vaccine questions and answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/combo-vaccines/mmr/faqs-mmr-hcp.htm. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  3. Rubella: Make sure your child is fully immunized. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Rubella/. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  4. Measles, mumps & rubella (MMR) vaccines. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mmr.pdf. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  5. Rubella no longer major public health threat in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050321.htm. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  6. Patient page: Rubella. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002;287:542.
  7. Rubella disease in-short (German measles). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/rubella/in-short-adult.htm. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  8. Rubella. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec14/ch193/ch193e.html. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  9. Passive immunization. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec14/ch169/ch169c.html. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  10. Facts for parents about autism and vaccine safety. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/autismfactsforparents.pdf. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  11. Immunization safety review: Vaccines and autism. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/?id=20155&redirect=0. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  12. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/mmr_vaccine.htm. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  13. Rubella (German measles). March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/printableArticles/14332_1225.asp. Accessed May 25, 2009.
  14. Hoecker JL. (expert opinion.) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 9, 2009.
  15. Hoecker JL. (expert opinion.) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 10, 2009.

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