Editing Rubella (section)

==Cause==
{{main|Rubella virus}}
[[File:Rubella virus TEM B82-0203 lores.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Transmission electron micrograph of rubella viruses]]
The disease is caused by the rubella virus, in the genus Rubivirus from the family Matonaviridae,<ref name="pmid31187277">{{cite journal | vauthors = Walker PJ, Siddell SG, Lefkowitz EJ, Mushegian AR, Dempsey DM, Dutilh BE, Harrach B, Harrison RL, Hendrickson RC, Junglen S, Knowles NJ, Kropinski AM, Krupovic M, Kuhn JH, Nibert M, Rubino L, Sabanadzovic S, Simmonds P, Varsani A, Zerbini FM, Davison AJ | title = Changes to virus taxonomy and the International Code of Virus Classification and Nomenclature ratified by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (2019) | journal = Arch. Virol. | volume = 164 | issue = 9 | pages = 2417–2429 | date = September 2019 | pmid = 31187277 | doi = 10.1007/s00705-019-04306-w | doi-access = free }}</ref> that is enveloped and has a single-stranded RNA genome.<ref name="pmid7817880">{{cite journal|author=Frey TK|title=Molecular biology of rubella virus|journal=Adv. Virus Res.|volume=44|pages=69–160|year=1994|pmid=7817880|doi=10.1016/S0065-3527(08)60328-0|pmc=7131582}}</ref> The virus is transmitted by the respiratory route and replicates in the [[nasopharynx]] and [[lymph nodes]]. The virus is found in the blood 5 to 7 days after infection and spreads throughout the body. The virus has [[teratogenic]] properties and is capable of crossing the placenta and infecting the fetus where it stops cells from developing or destroys them.<ref name="pmid16022642"/> During this incubation period, the patient is contagious typically for about one week before he/she develops a rash and for about one week thereafter.<ref name="CDC2012Pink" />

Increased susceptibility to infection might be inherited as there is some indication that [[HLA-A1]] or factors surrounding A1 on [[HLA A1-B8 haplotype|extended haplotype]]s are involved in virus infection or non-resolution of the disease.<ref name="pmid12463994">{{cite journal |vauthors=Forrest JM, Turnbull FM, Sholler GF, etal |title=Gregg's congenital rubella patients 60 years later |journal=Med. J. Aust. |volume=177 |issue=11–12 |pages=664–7 |year=2002 |pmid=12463994 |url=http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/177_11_021202/for10634_fm.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830201919/https://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/177_11_021202/for10634_fm.html |archive-date=2008-08-30 |doi=10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb05003.x |s2cid=36212779 }}</ref><ref name="pmid1138435">{{cite journal |vauthors=Honeyman MC, Dorman DC, Menser MA, Forrest JM, Guinan JJ, Clark P |title=HL-A antigens in congenital rubella and the role of antigens 1 and 8 in the epidemiology of natural rubella |journal=Tissue Antigens |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=12–8 |date=February 1975 |pmid=1138435 |doi= 10.1111/j.1399-0039.1975.tb00520.x}}</ref>