Possible Rubella Exposure

[honeybeemac]

My daughter's preschool called and said that there may be a possible case of rubella at the school. They were tellling me because my daughter is 2 and has not had the MMR vaccine. If confirmed she will have to be out for 1 week. While I'm not concerned for her, I'm 36 weeks pregnant. I know the risk is for those in the 1st trimester, but I'm not entirely sure that I should not be concerned for me. I do know that I have the antibodies for rubella. Also, I am having a Mother Blessing this weekend and at least 3 women who are attending are pregnant, one being 8 weeks. Any thoughts if I should be concerned for me? What about my friend who is 8 weeks, even if she has rubella antibodies?

**UPDATE** Turns out the child did not have rubella or measles or anything else that was concerning. All that drama for nothing. I wouldn't have minded if my DD had gotten rubella (lifetime immunity) but I did end up canceling my Mother Blessing because 4 pregnant women, plus two that possibly could be pregnant. Oh well, guess this is what I have to deal with by choosing not to vaccinate on schedule. I think I'm still going to wait until 4 for the MMR shot for my DD.

[cagnew]

I wish someone would reply to this!

My daughter is currently running a fever, with no other symptoms. From what I have been able to find out, there are two main illnesses that begin with only a fever- roseola, and rubella.

I am 20 weeks pregnant and I am terrifyed that she might have rubella. My mother (who is nurse) has already mentioned "Yeah... that's one of the risks you take when you don't vax your kids." She isn't exactly supportive of us not vaxing....

I am taking dd to the doctor today, and I have heard a rumor that this particular doctor has turned at least one person in for not vaxing. That doesn't bother me too much, but I am dreading him asking the question about it.

I hope it's nothing. I just can't help but think that if it turns out to be rubella and something happens to my unborn baby, I am going to feel 100% responsible for it. Maybe I should have done some vaxes....

honeybeemac: As far as I know, having the antibodies as the mother doesn't help the baby in this case. I could totally be wrong about this- I am just going on what I gathered from another thread here (the mmr thread). I would tell your friends about the exposure and let them make up their minds. The last thing you want is something happening to one of them, and having to live with that guilt of not telling them.

Where did you hear that the risk was only in the first trimester? I really, really hope that's true!

[cagnew]

Also, do you mind if I ask you what state you live in (assuming you are in the us)? I am trying to find out if there has been any cases near me (I am in AL).

[lirpasirhc]

if you have the antibodies, you probably won't develop rubella - same for your friend who is 8 weeks pregnant, but i would still let her know so that she can make an informed decision.

as far as i know, the risks are thought to only be in the 1st trimester, and not all babies of mothers who develop rubella in the 1st tri will develop CRS. i've seen links to the percentages somewhere around this forum.

also, i read that the reason they developed the rubella vax is that rubella is less contagious than other childhood diseases, so women were more likely to make it to adulthood w/o developing immunity.

[Full Heart]

The whole point of testing for antibodies in pg is to make sure you are immune. The risk is if you get rubella. And yes its in early pg, if you get it you have a 20% chance of having a baby with birth defects. If you are immune you are fine. If you are out of the first tri you should be fine. If your friend has antibodies she should be fine but may wish not to attend anyway. (of course the disclaimer is that your immunity is only as good as the test that was given you).

I don't think Rubella starts with a fever. I am pretty sure the only disease that starts with a fever and no other symptoms is Roseola. (in children of course, the diseases acts differently in adults) All my kids have had that and when the fever breaks the rash starts.

[LindsayK]

To Cagnew:

Here's a link for the percentages of likelihood of fetal infection from rubella:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000515/3065.html

scroll down to the first table...

If your daughter has rubella, then there is a 50-60% likelihood you'll get it. However, if you are past 16 weeks, the likelihood that your baby will be infected is "rare". I don't know if this takes into account vaccination, or whether you are vaccinated. Hope this helps!

[honeybeemac]

I did some research and read up on Rubella in my Dr. Sears' book. Cagnew: Dr. Sears said the risk is mostly in the first trimester, only somewhat risky in the second trimester and no risk in the third trimester. My OB said not to worry, but I'm 36 weeks. I did read that the risk of your baby being born with rubella induced birth defects is about 5% at 20 weeks.

I told all the guests for the upcoming Mother Blessing and my friend who is 8 weeks does have the antibodies but wants to err on the side of caution (which I agree), my other friend who is 33 weeks also has the antibodies but is scared and another who is 34 weeks has the antibodies but is not worried and is coming.

As far as symptoms, usually a low grade fever and swollen lymph nodes in children. However, some children show no symptoms until the rash appears. I know with roseola, that children run a high fever for a few days then when the fever breaks, the rash appears. Cagnew, if you daugther has rubella, the only way to confirm it is through a blood test.

[honeybeemac]

Originally Posted by cagnew

Also, do you mind if I ask you what state you live in (assuming you are in the us)? I am trying to find out if there has been any cases near me (I am in AL).

I'm in Phoenix, AZ.

[cagnew]

Thanks for the info and replies!

Her fever is still here, and we've ruled out ear infection and bladder infection. I called to see if there have been any cases of rubella around lately and no one seemed to think there was.

I'm not too worried now, especially since I know that my chances of #1 getting it aren't good (been vaxed), and #2 I am far enough along that the chances of it hurting the babe aren't high.

I love this site! Thanks for all your help!

PS- honeybeemac- I hope your dd is okay!

[Gitti]

If I were in that situation I would start to take CLO right away and recommend it to my friend. That's all.

[Tracy]

Keep us updated, I have a feeling it will turn out NOT to be rubella. just a vibe.

[cagnew]

Tracey was right- NOT rubella We took her to another doctor today and it turns out she has strep throat. Poor little girly is miserable, but at least she'll be better soon.

So happy it wasn't rubella!