Rubella (German measles) is a very infectious viral illness. The virus is passed on through droplets in the air from the coughs and sneezes of infected people. Two of the main symptoms of the rubella virus are a fever (raised temperature) and a distinctive red-pink rash.
Anyone can get rubella, but young children are most commonly affected. Rubella during pregnancy can be serious because it can cause birth defects to develop in the unborn baby.
Immunisation
In the UK, the rubella vaccine was introduced in 1970. Originally, it was only given to girls to protect them during pregnancy later in life. Since the introduction of the rubella vaccine the condition is much less common. The vaccine is now offered to all children as part of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation programme.
In 1998 there were some concerns about a possible link between the MMR vaccination and conditions such as autism and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, numerous studies undertaken to investigate the claim found no link between the MMR vaccine and these conditions.
The British Medical Association, Department of Health and World Health Organisation recommend that all children should have the MMR vaccine. It's very important that everyone is immune to the virus so that serious health problems are not caused by an outbreak of mumps, measles or rubella.
Fever
A fever is when you have a high body temperature (over 38C or 100.4F).
MMR
MMR stands for measles, mumps and rubella. It's a vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella by making the body produce antibodies to fight off the viruses.
Vaccination
Vaccination or immunisation is usually given by an injection that makes the body's immune system produce antibodies that will fight off a virus.
Disease
A disease is an illness or condition that interferes with normal body functions.
