Red dogs are an infectious viral disease that is counted among the classic childhood diseases. The disease is usually mild, but if a pregnant woman becomes infected, the fetus can suffer severe injuries. the disease is very uncommon because vaccines against rubella are included in the vaccination program for children.
Red dogs, on the other hand, are common in many other countries. You should, therefore, review your and your relatives’ vaccination protection if you are traveling abroad. This is especially true if you are pregnant.
Symptoms of red dogs
Symptoms of red dogs are:
- coryza
- swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck
- fever
- joint pain.
After a few days, brownish or blue-red rashes usually spread on the skin, from the face down to the arms and legs. The rashes can look different on different skin types and are often easier to see on light skin than on dark skin.
When should I seek care?
If you think you have red dogs, contact a health care center. You can contact many receptions by logging in.
Contact a midwife if you are pregnant and think you have red dogs.
Always call first
If you need to seek care, call before you go in. To avoid infecting others, you may be shown directly to an examination room to see a doctor, without first sitting in the waiting room. This also applies to sick children.
That’s how red dogs get infected
You may become infected when someone who is sick coughs or sneezes so that droplets spread in the exhaled air. Most children in many countries are vaccinated at 18 months of age against rubella because it is included in the vaccination program for children.
From the time you are infected until the disease breaks out, it usually takes between two and three weeks.
You who have been ill in red dogs once can not get the disease again.
Pregnancy and red dog
If you are pregnant and have a red dog, there is a high risk of serious injury to the baby. The risk is greatest for the fetus during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. At the midwife, you can pass a blood test to show if you have had red dogs.
You cannot vaccinate when you are pregnant as the vaccine can harm the fetus. Instead, you may be vaccinated after delivery if needed.
Review your vaccination cover before traveling
It is still a common disease in many other countries. Before you travel abroad, it is good if you look over the vaccination cover for you and your relatives.
Treatment for rubella
There is no treatment for rubella, but the disease goes away by itself after a few days.