Video - Rubella virus

Rubella virus is a single-strand, positive-sense RNA virus of the Togaviruses family, which is known to cause rubella, sometimes referred to as German measles. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets and infects and replicates in mucous membrane cells of the nasopharynx, then does the same in lymph nodes, triggering apoptosis in infected cells. Infected children are often asymptomatic or might have mild symptoms like fever, lymphadenopathy, and a rash, whereas adults tend to show more serious symptoms and get sick longer. Complications of rubella are rare but may include arthritis, encephalitis, and thrombocytopenia. Treatment for Rubella is supportive and prevention involves a live attenuated vaccine.