Rubella is a contagious infection in which there is a rash on the skin.
Alternative NamesThree day measles; German measles
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe disease is caused by a virus that is spread through the air or by close contact.
A person can transmit the disease from 1 week before the rash begins, until 1 - 2 weeks after the rash disappears. The disease is less contagious than rubeola (measles). After an infection, people have immunity to the disease for the rest of their lives.
In children and adults, rubella is usually mild and may even go unnoticed.
Risk factors include:
Children generally have few symptoms. Adults may experience a fever, headache, general discomfort (malaise), and a runny nose before the rash appears. They may not notice the symptoms.
Other symptoms may include:
There is no treatment for this disease.
Patients can take acetaminophen to reduce fever.
Defects that occur with congenital rubella syndrome can be treated.
Expectations (prognosis)Rubella is usually a mild infection.
However, if a mother is infected during early pregnancy, rubella can cause defects in the developing baby. The unborn baby can develop congenital rubella syndrome, which typically has a poor outcome. Defects are rare if the infection occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy.
ComplicationsComplications that can occur in the unborn baby:
A miscarriage or stillbirth may occur.
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if:
There is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent rubella. The rubella vaccine is recommended for all children. It is routinely given when children are 12 - 15 months old, but is sometimes given earlier during epidemics. A second vaccination (booster) is routinely given to children ages 4 - 6. MMR is a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Women of childbearing age usually have a blood test to see if they have immunity to rubella. If they are not immune, women should avoid getting pregnant for 28 days after receiving the vaccine.
Those who should not get vaccinated include:
Great care is taken not to give the vaccine to a woman who is already pregnant. However, in the rare instances when pregnant women have been vaccinated, no problems have been detected in the infants.
ReferencesWeisberg SS. Vaccine preventable diseases: current perspectives in historical context. Dis Mon. 2007;53:467-528.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended Immunization Schedule for Ages 7 - 18 Years. United States. 2009.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults. United States. 2009.