Rubella (also known as german measles) is a viral infection that used to be common in children. Rubella is usually a mild infection.
Symptoms of rubella include:
- a distinctive red-pink skin rash
- swollen glands (nodes)
- cold-like symptoms such as a sore head and runny nose
Read more about the symptoms of rubella.
Rubella and pregnancy
The only time that rubella becomes a serious concern is if a pregnant woman catches the infection during the first 16 weeks of her pregnancy. This is because the rubella virus can disrupt the development of the baby and cause a wide range of health problems, such as:
- eye problems, such as cataracts (cloudy patches on the lens of the eye)
- deafness
- heart abnormalities
- brain damage
The birth defects caused by the rubella virus are known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
Since the introduction of the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine CRS is now very rare in the UK. There was only one recorded case during 2007 (the last year for which data are available) in the UK.
Read more about the complications of rubella.
The MMR vaccine
Children are immunised against rubella as part of their routine childhood immunisation programme.
This is done with the MMR vaccine which is given in early childhood. Read more about the MMR vaccine and preventing rubella.
When to see your GP
You should always contact your GP if you suspect that you or your child have rubella.
Do not visit your GP surgery. Telephone them instead as there may be pregnant women in the waiting room.
Treating rubella
Rubella does not usually require medical treatment as the symptoms will normally pass within seven to 10 days.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to reduce the fever and treat any aches or pains. Liquid infant paracetamol can be used for young children. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years old.
Read more about treating rubella.
What causes rubella?
Rubella is caused by the rubella virus, which is spread in much the same way as a cold or the flu.
Rubella is spread through droplets of moisture from the nose or throat of someone who is infected. These droplets are released into the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks.
If you inhale an infected droplet you can become infected. It can take two-three weeks for symptoms to develop but you will only be infectious to other people for one week before symptoms appear, and for up to six days after the rash has started.
Anyone with rubella should stay away from school or work for six days after the rash starts to avoid infecting others. It’s also important to avoid contact with pregnant women.
Once a person has had rubella they should develop a lifelong immunity against further infection.
Read more about the causes of rubella.
Who is affected
Rubella is now very rare in England. There were only 12 reported cases during 2010 in England and Wales.
Most of the cases occurred in people who were born in countries that do not offer routine immunisation against rubella.
There can occasionally be large outbreaks of cases. One of these occurred in 1996 when there were close to 4,000 cases in England and Wales. This is why children should be vaccinated against it.
Also, making sure children are routinely vaccinated helps to protect pregnant women and their babies.
