There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
From the Research
Rubella Infection and Testes
- Rubella infection can affect the testes, as evidenced by a study that investigated an outbreak of rubella on a college campus, which found that five out of 68 subjects with rubella infection reported pain without swelling in one or both testicles lasting up to three days 1.
- This study suggests that rubella infection can cause testalgia, or pain in the testicles, in male adolescents and young adults.
- The majority of reported cases of rubella in the United States occur in persons 15 years of age and older, making it important to consider rubella as a possible cause of testicular pain in postpubertal boys and men 1.
Mechanism of Rubella Infection
- Rubella virus replication and its links to teratogenicity have been studied, and it is known that the virus can cause necrosis and/or apoptosis as well as inhibition of cell division of critical precursor cells involved in organogenesis 2.
- The virus can also cause mitochondrial abnormalities and disruption of the cytoskeleton, which may play a role in its teratogenic effects 2.
- However, the exact mechanism of how rubella infection affects the testes is not well understood and requires further study.
Prevention and Treatment
- Prevention of rubella infection is critical, and a live attenuated vaccine, usually given as a trivalent vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR vaccine), is available 3.
- Routine rubella serologic testing and immunization, if required, of women of childbearing age is essential to the elimination of congenital rubella syndrome 4.
- While there is no specific antiviral therapy available for postnatal rubella virus infections, symptomatic treatment can be provided 3.