About Rubella:
Rubella, also known as German Measles or three-day measles is an infectious disease caused by the rubella virus. This disease is often mild with half of people not realizing that they are sick. The identifying symptom is a rash that start around two weeks after exposure and last for three days. It usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Although a mild illness in most people, in a pregnant woman, the virus can cause a miscarriage or cause infection in the fetus that can result in fetal malformations. The disease is easily preventable with vaccination.
Symptoms:
Children generally have few symptoms. Adults may experience a fever, headache, general discomfort (malaise), and a runny nose before the rash appears. They may not notice the symptoms.
Other symptoms may include:
- Bruising (rare)
- Inflammation of the eyes (bloodshot eyes)
- Muscle or joint pain
Contagious Period:
Rubella is contagious. The incubation period for rubella is 14-17 days, with a range of 12-23 days from exposure to clinical illness. Infectiousness begins from 1 week before and at least 4 days after the onset of rash.
Because the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is given to most children, rubella is much less common now. Almost everyone who receives the vaccine has immunity to rubella. Immunity means that your body has built a defense to the rubella virus.
Children and adults who were never vaccinated against rubella may still get this infection.
Transmission:
Rubella is transmitted by droplet spread or by direct contact of secretions of infected people.
Prevention and Control:
Rubella infections can be prevented by immunization. Rubella is usually a mild infection.
After an infection, people have immunity to the disease for the rest of their lives.