What is Rubella

Rubella, also known as German measles or three-day measles, is a very easily spread (contagious) viral infection. The infection causes a low fever and pinkish rash. In children, the infection is usually mild and goes away on its own.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by a virus. The virus spreads through droplets that are sprayed when an infected person talks, sneezes, or coughs. A person with rubella is contagious from about 1 week before the rash appears until about 1 week after it goes away.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to occur in children who have not been vaccinated against rubella.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms usually appear 2–3 weeks after your child is exposed to the virus. The most common symptom is a pinkish rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Other symptoms may occur a few days before the rash appears, including:

• A mild fever.
• Swollen glands.
• Aching joints and general discomfort.
• Headache.
• Mild pink eye.
• Lack of appetite.
• Nasal congestion.
• A runny nose.
• A sore throat.

Sometimes there are no symptoms.

How is this diagnosed?

Your child’s health care provider may diagnose rubella based on:

• A physical exam.
• Your child’s medical history and symptoms.
• Saliva, blood, or urine tests to check for rubella antibodies.

How is this treated?

There is no specific treatment for rubella. Symptoms of rubella infection will go away on their own. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and may involve:

• Rest.
• Drinking plenty of fluids.
• Over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to reduce pain or fever.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Keep your child away from other people for at least 7 days after the rash has completely gone away or as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Have your child rest as needed. Your child may need more rest if he or she has a fever.
• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow.
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider. Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome. Do not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months old.
• Ask your child’s health care provider when your child may return to school or day care. Usually, your child will be allowed to return to school or day care 1 week after your child’s rash completely goes away.
• If your child comes in contact with a pregnant woman, notify her that your child has rubella so she may tell her health care provider. If a pregnant woman is exposed to the infection during her first trimester of pregnancy, the infection can cause severe birth defects in her baby (congenital rubella syndrome).
• Encourage your child to wash his or her hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, have your child use hand sanitizer.

How is this prevented?

Rubella can be prevented by vaccination. All children should receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vaccine requires two doses, one given at 12–15 months of age and the other given at 4–6 years of age. If your child will be traveling internationally, your child’s health care provider may recommend a different vaccine schedule.

A combination vaccine called measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine is also available.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child’s fever lasts more than 5 days.
• Your child’s rash becomes itchy or does not go away after 5 days.

Get help right away if:

• Your child seems confused.
• Your child becomes more ill.
• Your child develops a severe headache or neck pain.
• Your child’s rash becomes purple.
• Your child has a cut or nosebleed that seems to bleed more than usual.
• Your child has blood in his or her urine or stool.
• Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

Summary

• Rubella is a very easily spread (contagious) viral infection. In children, the infection is usually mild and goes away on its own.
• The most common symptom is a pinkish rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
• There is no specific treatment for rubella. Symptoms of rubella infection will go away on their own.
• If your child has rubella, treatment focuses on managing symptoms. This usually includes plenty of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Rubella can be prevented by vaccination.