Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella is a viral disease that causes fever, rash, and swollen glands. Illness is usually mild, but if a person gets rubella during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects in the unborn child. Rubella is more common in winter and spring.
Prevention
Rubella is spread by direct contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected person. Being vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent Rubella. The MMR vaccine provides protection against the measles, mumps, and rubella.
Children should receive the MMR vaccine on or after their first birthday. Women of childbearing age can take a blood test to ensure they are immune to rubella and should receive a rubella vaccine before they become pregnant.
Symptoms
Early symptoms of rubella often include fever, body aches, swollen glands, cough and runny nose. A rash develops on the face and then spreads over the entire body from head to foot. The rash lasts about 3 days. Joint aches are very common in adult patients.
Symptoms appear between 12-23 days after infection.
Treatment
There is no specific medicine to treat rubella or make the disease go away faster. In many cases, symptoms are mild. For others, mild symptoms can be managed with bed rest and medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen.
If you are concerned about your symptoms or your child's symptoms, contact your doctor.
Additional Resources
- For more information on where you or your child can be vaccinated, call 311.