| Disease
Fact Sheet Series:
What is rubella?
Rubella is a viral infection that is most serious in pregnant females
because it can harm their unborn baby. It is also called German measles or
3-day measles.
Who can get rubella?
Rubella can affect anyone who has not had the disease or who has not
been immunized against it.
How is rubella spread?
Rubella is spread through the air by coughing, sneezing or talking.
What are the signs and symptoms of rubella?
In children the disease usually begins with a rash. The rash appears
on the face and neck. The rash lasts about 2 or 3 days. In older children
and adults there may be a low-grade fever, swollen glands in the back of
the neck and an upper respiratory infection (URI) before the rash begins.
How soon do symptoms appear after exposure?
Usually 12-23 days after the person is exposed to the rubella virus.
How can a doctor confirm that an illness is rubella?
Confirmation is through a blood test.
When and for how long is a person able to spread rubella?
Rubella can be spread from about a week before the rash starts until
about a week after. Infants with CRS can spread virus for months after
birth.
What are the complications associated with rubella?
For most children and adults rubella is relatively mild. However, if
a women is in her 1st trimester of pregnancy catches the
disease her baby has up to a 90% chance of being born deaf, blind,
mentally retarded, with heart defects or stillborn. These conditions are
referred to as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
Is there a treatment for rubella?
There is no specific treatment for rubella.
Can rubella be prevented?
Yes. Rubella vaccine given in combination with Measles and Mumps
(called MMR vaccine) is recommended for all children at 12-15 months of
age and at 4-6 years of age. The two doses of vaccine normally provide
life long immunity.
Does a past infection with rubella make a person immune for life?
Yes
For more information, contact your
Local
Public Health Department
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Last Revised: June 22, 2011
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