Patient education: Rubella (The Basics)

What is rubella? — Rubella is an infection that causes a rash on the face and body (picture 1). It is caused by infection with the rubella virus. Other names for rubella are "German measles" and "3-day measles."

Rubella used to be much more common than it is now. Now, there is a vaccine (a shot) that helps keep people from getting infected. The vaccine is called the measles, mumps, and rubella ("MMR") vaccine. It protects against all 3 infections. (There is also a vaccine that protects against those 3 infections plus the virus that causes chickenpox, called "varicella.")

Rubella in pregnancy can be very dangerous. If a pregnant person gets rubella, their baby could die or be born too early. Or the baby could be born with serious problems such as:

●Hearing loss

●Lifelong learning problems

●Being too small for their age

●Heart problems

●Eye problems

The baby is more likely to have problems if the pregnant person gets rubella in the first half of pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of rubella? — The symptoms of rubella are usually mild. They are different for children and adults.

In children, the most common symptoms include:

●Rash – This usually starts on the face. It spreads to the rest of the body in about 24 hours. A rubella rash usually goes away in about 3 days. But it can last as long as 8 days. Some children have red, irritated eyes, a rash in the mouth, or both.

●Mild fever

●Swollen glands

Adults who get rubella can have:

●Rash, fever, and swollen glands – These can be like the symptoms in children.

●A sick feeling, like with the flu

●Pain in the joints – This is often in the knees, wrists, and fingers. Pain in the joints is more common in teens and females than in adult males. The joint pain can last a month or longer, even after the rash goes away.

●Red, irritated eyes

●Pain and swelling in the testicles (in males)

Adults often feel sicker from rubella than children do.

How does rubella spread? — If you have not had rubella or the rubella vaccine, you can catch rubella by being close to someone who is infected. For example, you might catch it from touching the person or touching a lot of things that they touch. Most people in the US have had the rubella vaccine, but some people have not.

If you or your child has rubella, you can help keep it from spreading. You should:

●Stay home or keep your child home for 7 days after the rash starts.

●Wash your hands often, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Is there a test for rubella? — Yes. Doctors can do a blood test to look for the rubella virus. But most people don't need it. A doctor or nurse can usually tell if someone has rubella by doing an exam and learning about their symptoms.

If the doctor or nurse thinks that a baby was born with rubella, they will do a blood test to check. In a child or adult, a blood test might help if doctors are not sure that rubella is the cause of symptoms. If you are pregnant and think that you might have rubella, you can get a blood test to find out.

How is rubella treated? — There is no treatment for rubella. Most people get better on their own with no problems.

You or your child can take over-the counter medicines to help with symptoms, such as fever. But never give aspirin to a child younger than 18 years old. In children, aspirin can cause a dangerous condition called Reye syndrome.

Can rubella be prevented? — Yes. The rubella vaccine prevents infection.

●All children should get the rubella vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old. Then, they should get a second shot when they are 4 to 6 years old. All children should have the second shot before starting school.

●Adults who did not get the rubella vaccine as children should get at least 1 shot. This is especially important for females who plan to get pregnant.

In certain people, the rubella vaccine is not safe. This includes people who are pregnant or who have weak immune systems because they:

●Are being treated with medicines that weaken their immune systems

●Have a medical condition that keeps them from fighting infection well

Because rubella is dangerous to unborn babies and those with weak immune systems, it is important for everyone to get the vaccine. This lowers the risk that a pregnant person or a person with a weak immune system will get rubella.

What if I want to get pregnant? — Rubella in pregnancy can be very dangerous. If you want to get pregnant, make sure that your rubella vaccine is up to date. This means knowing if you got the rubella vaccine in the past. If you are not sure, your doctor or nurse can do a blood test to check.

The rubella vaccine must be given before pregnancy. After you get it, wait at least 4 weeks before you try to get pregnant.

More on this topic

Patient education: What you should know about vaccines (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines and pregnancy (The Basics)

Patient education: Vaccines for adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaccination during pregnancy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Why does my child need vaccines? (Beyond the Basics)