Your Health - Rubella

Rubella

(German Measles; 3-Day Measles)

Definition

Rubella is a contagious viral illness. Once you have had rubella, you will not get sick with it again.

Rubella Rash

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

You're more likely to get rubella if:

You have never had the condition.
You 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)
Red, spotty rash all over the body

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Rubella is diagnosed by blood tests.

Treatment

There is no treatment for rubella. To help make you more comfortable, your doctor may give you acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Prevention

The rubella vaccine is often given as a combination vaccine. It is called the MMR vaccine. It protects against measles , mumps , and rubella.

All children (with few exceptions) should receive the vaccine two times:

12-15 months
4-6 years (school entry)

For those age 12 months to 18 years who have not been vaccinated:

Two doses of MMR are given (shots are separated by a minimum of 4 weeks)

Adults aged 19 or older receive 1 or 2 doses. *¹

Women who are not sure if they have been vaccinated should be tested. This is very important if they are in occupations with high risk of exposure to rubella, such as:

Healthcare workers
Teachers
Childcare workers

Immunization can be given to women of childbearing age. They should avoid getting pregnant within three months of the vaccine. The vaccine offers most people a lifelong protection against rubella infection.

RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/

Immunization Action Coalition
http://www.immunize.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

About Kids
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/

Communicable Disease Control Unit
http://www.gov.mb.ca/

References:

Behrman RE, Kliegman R, Jenson HB. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 16th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.

Conn HF, Rakel RE. Conn's Current Therapy . 53rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2001.

Rakel RE, Bope ET, Conn HF. Conn's Current Therapy . 59th ed. Edinburgh, UK: Elsevier Saunders; 2007.

Jenson HB, Nelson WE, Behrman RE, Kliegman R. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 17th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2004.

*¹DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0-18 years—United States, 2008. MMWR. 2008;57;Q1-Q4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5701a8.htm . Updated January 10, 2008. Accessed January 28, 2008.

Last reviewed September 2009 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.