Rubella

What is it?

• Rubella is also called German measles. It is an illness that usually does not make people very sick. Some people who catch rubella have few or no signs of illness. Others break out with a rash that spreads from the head down to the toes and lasts for three to four days. In the past, young children often got rubella. Today, most children get MMR shots as part of their regular childhood immunization (disease protection) program. MMR shots are also called "Measles, Mumps, and Rubella" vaccinations. These shots are the best way to protect a person from getting rubella.
  
  
• If a pregnant woman catches rubella, her unborn baby could have birth defects. Birth defects are problems with the way a baby's body is formed. They can cause life-long health problems for the baby after he is born. Before a woman gets pregnant, she should ask her caregiver if she needs an MMR shot. An MMR shot will help prevent the mother and her unborn baby from getting rubella during the pregnancy.

What causes rubella?

Rubella is caused by a germ called a virus. It may be spread to others who have not had MMR shots or a rubella infection in the past. The rubella virus is spread in the air by the coughing and sneezing of an infected person.

What are the signs and symptoms of rubella?

• Once you are exposed to rubella, it may take two to three weeks for signs and symptoms to appear. Your rubella infection may be so mild that you do not even know that you are sick. A young child's signs and symptoms may be low fever and rash of tiny, flat or slightly raised, pink-red spots. The rash starts on the face, and then spreads down the body toward the toes. It usually disappears in three to four days.
  
  
• Older children and adults often have more signs and symptoms of rubella. The rubella infection may begin with cold symptoms such as fever, coughing, runny nose, and sore throat. These may occur one to five days before you break out with a rash. Once the rash appears, the cold symptoms usually go away. You may also have one or more of the following:
  
  
  • Joint aches and pain.
    
    
  • Muscle aches or headaches.
    
    
  • Not hungry.
    
    
  • Sore, red eyes.
    
    
  • Swollen glands. These may feel like lumps on the back of the neck, ears, and head. Your glands may remain swollen up to one month after your rubella is gone.
    
    
  • Tired.

How is rubella treated?

• Rest: Rest as much as possible until you feel better.
  
  
• Drink extra liquids: Drink six to eight (8-ounce) cups of healthy liquids each day. Drinking liquids will help stop dehydration (losing too much body fluid). For most people, healthy liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. Limit the amount of caffeine in your diet. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, and in some soda pops and sport drinks and foods. Read the ingredient labels to learn if foods and drinks contain caffeine. While your child has rubella, give him at least one or two more cups of liquid than he usually drinks each day.
  
  
• Eat healthy foods: Choose healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole-grain bread, cereal, rice, and pasta. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables. Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Choose protein sources, such as lean beef and chicken, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Ask how many servings of fats, oils, and sweets you should have each day, and if you need to be on a special diet.
  
  
• NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine may decrease swelling and pain or fever. This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.

How can I keep from spreading rubella to others?

• Stay away from others while you are contagious (able to spread rubella to others). You may be able to spread rubella seven days before the rash starts. You are also able to spread it for seven days after it disappears. Stay away from the following people during this time period:
  
  
  • Pregnant women. If you have been in contact with a pregnant woman while you have rubella, be sure to tell her. She should tell her caregiver that she has been exposed to rubella.
    
    
  • People who have never had MMR shots or a rubella infection in the past.
    
    
  • School and daycare centers. Keep your child home from school or day care for seven days after the rash first appeared. Call your child's school or daycare center to tell them that your child has rubella. Keep your child away from pregnant women if he has rubella.
  
  
• MMR vaccine: This vaccine helps prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. Adults who have never received the vaccine may need at least one dose of the vaccine. A second dose may be needed by those at a higher risk of getting measles, mumps, or rubella.

What are the risks of having rubella?

• Usually, rubella does not make people feel sick. However, it may cause joint pain and swelling. This may continue for a few weeks or longer, even after your rubella is gone. Rarely, rubella may cause swelling of the brain or bleeding. Rubella may cause a man to have inflammation and pain in his testicles. Testicles are the round organs in the sac of skin (scrotum) behind a man's penis.
  
  
• Rubella can cause serious problems while a woman is pregnant, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Rubella can cause birth defects such as deafness (cannot hear). It may cause a baby to have life-long problems (birth defects) with his eyes, heart, brain, or nerves. Rubella may also cause an unborn baby to die.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Rubella