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 rubella 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)
  • Rose-colored spots in the mouth (called Koplik's spots)
  • 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 rubella 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

There is a vaccine against rubella. It is recommended for babies between 12-15 months of age, and then again for children between ages 4-6 years. Any child who misses the 4-6 year booster should receive a second immunization at least by the early teen years.

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