Definition

Rubella is a contagious viral illness. Once you have had rubella, you will not get sick with it again.

Rubella Rash

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Babies whose mothers have rubella during pregnancy (especially during the first trimester) can be born with severe birth defects, including:

  • Mental retardation and/or behavior problems
  • Hearing problems
  • Vision abnormalities, blindness, and/or cataracts
  • Heart defects
  • Increased risk of diabetes throughout early life
  • Death in utero

Causes

Rubella is caused by a virus. It is passed from person-to-person through tiny droplets in the air.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. You're more likely to get rubella if you've never had the condition or have never been immunized against it.

Symptoms

Symptoms are usually mild and include:

  • Fatigue, low energy
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Flushed face
  • Red throat (although not sore)
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Achy joints and arthritis (especially in adults)
  • Red, spotty rash all over the body

The danger of rubella is not the symptoms it causes in adults or children, but its risk to a baby when the mother becomes infected with the condition during early pregnancy.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Rubella is diagnosed by blood tests.

Treatment

There is no treatment for rubella, other than giving acetaminophen (Tylenol) to make you more comfortable.

Prevention

Although the rubella vaccine is available as a single preparation, it is recommended it be given as a combination vaccine called the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles , mumps , and rubella.

All children (with few exceptions) should receive the vaccine two times: at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years (school entry).

For those aged 12 months to 18 years who have not been vaccinated, two doses of MMR are given, separated by a minimum of 4 weeks. Adults, aged 19 or older, who require vaccination receive one or two doses. *

Women who are not sure whether they have been immunized should be tested to see if they have immunity to rubella, particularly if they are in occupations with high risk of exposure to rubella (such as healthcare workers, teachers, and childcare workers).

Immunization can be given to women of childbearing age, although they should avoid getting pregnant within three months of receiving the vaccine. The vaccine offers most persons who receive it lifelong protection against rubella infection.