Rubella is typically a mild, self-limited, systemic infection caused by the rubella virus. Treatment of symptomatic rubella infection is largely supportive, as the illness is self-limited.
Expert clinical decision support for Emergency Medicine
Vaccine hesitancy is leading to a resurgence of viral infections, such as measles and rubella, across the United States. To help emergency medicine specialists recognize and treat these re-emerging infectious diseases, BMJ Group is currently offering complimentary access to related topics in BMJ Best Practice. (Available in the US only)
Recognize and treat infectious diseases on the rise in the US
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Learn about these diseases and share with your colleagues
See how BMJ Best Practice can support your critical decisions in the Emergency Department – free access to these topics for a limited time.
As an ER doctor for more than 20 years, I’m concerned about the illnesses I might see soon. I obviously know what Measles is, but I’ve never treated a patient with it. What are the nuances of treating measles and potential complications of those treatments? I’ve found BMJ Best Practice to be a great tool to refresh my knowledge and ensure I have the latest clinical guidance at my fingertips.”
Dr. Kristen Kent, Emergency Medicine Physician
New to BMJ Best Practice? This popular point-of-care tool provides easily searchable, expert-based guidance for comprehensive emergency medicine support, covering over 30 specialties with topics organized around typical patient consultations. Watch a short video on using BMJ Best Practice and review our US advisory panel.
Author: Elizabeth Barnett, MD; Professor of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB most commonly involves the lungs (pulmonary TB) and is communicable in this form, but may affect almost any organ system including the lymph nodes, central nervous system, liver, bones, genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory tract infection, usually caused by a fastidious pleomorphic gram-negative coccobacillus, Bordetella pertussis, and characterized by a severe and protracted cough.
Poliomyelitis is contracted through transmission of poliovirus, an enterovirus, usually through gastrointestinal-oral transmission. The condition may manifest as the minor illness, which is usually gastrointestinal, or as the major illness, characterized by acute flaccid paralysis.
Epiglottitis is an infection of the supraglottis that has the potential to cause airway compromise, due to inflammation and swelling, and should be treated as a surgical emergency until the airway is examined and secured. Pertinent diagnostic criteria include the classic "tripod" position of the patient, drooling, high fever, and a toxic appearance.
Community-acquired pneumonia is defined as pneumonia acquired outside of hospital or healthcare facilities. Clinical diagnosis is based on a group of signs and symptoms related to lower respiratory tract infection with presence of fever >100ºF (>38ºC), cough, expectoration, chest pain, dyspnea, and signs of invasion of the alveolar space.
Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It is characterized by a maculopapular rash, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and a pathognomonic enanthem (Koplik's spots), with an incubation period of about 10 days.
Author: Elisabeth Adderson, MD; Associate Member, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
Authors: David J. Horne, MD, MPH; Associate Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine; Department of Medicine, University of Washington
Masahiro Narita, MD; Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine; Department of Medicine, University of Washington
Author: Elisabeth Adderson, MD; Associate Member, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
Authors: Omar A. Khan, MD, MHS, FAAFP; President and CEO, Delaware Health Sciences Alliance; Physician Leader, Partnerships & Academic Programs, Christiana Care Health System; Associate Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
David L. Heymann, MD, DTM&H; Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London; Head, Centre on Global Health Security - Chatham House
Author: Rahul K. Shah, MD, FAAP; VP, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Children's National Health System
Expert Advisors: Catia Cilloniz, MD, PhD, FERS; Applied Research in Respiratory Diseases, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona; CIBERES; IDIBAPS; Associate Professor, University of Barcelona
Antoni Torres, MD, PhD; Professor of Medicine; Director, Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit; Respiratory Institute, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona
Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It is characterized by a maculopapular rash, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and a pathognomonic enanthem (Koplik's spots), with an incubation period of about 10 days.