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What is rubella?

Rubella (German measles) is an infection caused by a virus. Rubella is no longer common because children are vaccinated against it.

What are the symptoms?

Rubella may cause mild illness with a low fever, swelling of the glands in the neck and behind the ears, irritated eyes, and a rash with small red spots. The rash begins on the face and moves downwards from head to toe. Symptoms can appear from 14-17 days after coming in contact with the virus. The infection may cause serious problems for susceptible pregnant women. If rubella develops within the first three months of pregnancy, there is a high risk of fetal death or serious defects, such as deafness, vision problems, heart defects, mental challenges, etc.

How is it spread?

Rubella is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions from an infected person. This can happen when the infected person talks, coughs or sneezes and spreads droplets containing the virus. The virus can be transmitted 1 week before and at least 4 days after the onset of the rash.

What precautions should I take?

If you think your child has rubella, contact your physician to arrange for a blood test to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. If your child has rubella, he or she should not return to a childcare facility or school until at least seven days after the rash first appeared. Pregnant women should not have contact with your child during that period.

Is there a vaccine?

Rubella can be prevented by immunization. Check immunization records to see if your child has had the rubella, or MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), vaccine after 1 year of age and a booster at 18 months. If your child has not been vaccinated and is 1 year of age or older, contact your physician or Public Health to arrange for the vaccination as soon as possible. Contact your physician if you are a woman of child-bearing age and do not know if you have had the rubella vaccine. The physician can tell if you are immune (vaccinated or have had the disease) by doing a blood test. If you are not immune and not pregnant, the physician will vaccinate you. The rubella vaccine or the MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant women.

For more information please call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.