Health Topics for Infectious Diseases

Department of Internal Medicine: Infectious Diseases

Department of Internal Medicine: Travel Medicine

Rubella

Rubella is a common childhood disease caused by a virus. The most notable symptom is a rash that begins on the face and moves down the body. Rubella is often referred to as "German" or "Three Day" measles.

The symptoms of rubella appear anywhere from 14 to 21 days after exposure. The symptoms are usually mild and can include: a low fever, headache, joint aches, runny nose, and a rash. The rash usually lasts a total of 3 days, is mild and starts on the face spreading to the neck, chest and rest of the body. The rash first looks like a blush, and then develops into a more pinpoint rash with distinctive spots. Not everyone who gets rubella will have the rash. The lymph nodes on the back of the neck and behind the ears sometimes become swollen and sore. Children can develop serious secondary infections from the measles.

When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus is spread through the air. The virus may be found in the blood, urine, and stools of people who have the illness. Rubella is contagious for a period, which begins 7 days before and ends 7 days after the rash appears. Once you have had the infection you are usually immune and cannot catch it again.

The most serious danger of rubella is to pregnant women. A miscarriage or serious birth defects may occur in pregnant women who are exposed to rubella any time during the first 3 months of pregnancy. These birth defects include heart defects, deafness, cataracts, spleen and liver damage, mental retardation, and bone disease.

Pregnant women who have had German measles, or a rubella vaccination, are protected. Women of childbearing age should check with their healthcare provider to make sure they are protected before they get pregnant. Blood tests can be done which will tell whether or not you have an immunity to rubella.

It is important that all children be immunized against the measles to protect them. If the child is a female, it will also protect her against the problems that come on with the combination of rubella and a pregnancy. Since maternal antibodies protect newborns their first year, the rubella vaccine is given to children around their first birthday.

Call your local health department or healthcare provider for more information on immunization programs.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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