Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- maculopapular rash
- fever
- arthralgias
- lymphadenopathy
- incomplete immunization
Other diagnostic factors
- malaise
- coryza or pharyngitis
- arthritis
- conjunctivitis
Risk factors
- incomplete immunization
- exposure to infectious contact
- international travel
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- serology
- CBC
Tests to consider
- viral culture
- reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR)
Treatment algorithm
pregnant: susceptible to and exposed to rubella
nonpregnant: symptomatic rubella
Contributors
Authors
Elisabeth Adderson, MD
Associate Member
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
Memphis
TN
Disclosures
EA declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Elizabeth Barnett, MD, FAAP
Director of International Clinical Maxwell Finland Laboratory for Infectious Diseases
Boston Medical Center
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston
MA
Disclosures
EB has received research grant support from Sandipasteen and Intercell and received an honorarium to attend a meeting sponsored by Novartis. She receives royalties from the sale of a book she edited.
Suzanne M. Garland, MBBS, MD, FRCPAm FAChSHM, FRANZCOG ad eundem
Director of Microbiological Research
Head of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Royal Women's Hospital
Senior Consultant of Microbiology
Royal Children's Hospital
Professor
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
University of Melbourne
Melbourne
Australia
Disclosures
SMG has received advisory board fees and grant support from Commonwealth Serum Laboratories and GlaxoSmithKline, and lecture fees from Merck and GSK. SMG has received funding through her institution to conduct HPV vaccine studies for MSD and GSK.
Robert S. Duszak, OD, FAAO
Co-Director of Residency Program and Consulting Staff
Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Consulting Staff
Nemours Health Clinic & Mayfair Eye Associates
Adjunct Clinical Faculty
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Salus University
Philadelphia
PA
Disclosures
RSD declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Measles (rubeola)
- Roseola infantum (HHV-6, HHV-7, exanthem subitum, sixth disease)
- Scarlet fever (group A Streptococcus pyogenes)
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Recommended adult immunization schedule for ages 19 years or older, United States, 2024
- CDC Yellow Book: health information for international travel - rubella
More GuidelinesPatient information
Measles, mumps, and rubella: should my child have the MMR vaccine?
More Patient information
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