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Rubella

Rubella

Rubella (also called "German measles") is a viral illness caused by a togavirus of the genus Rubivirus and is characterized by a mild, maculopapular rash. 

  • Rubella is very contagious. The virus is spread from person to person. 

     

    Rubella spreads through:

    • Coughing, sneezing, or touch surfaces with the virus on them. 
    • From a pregnant person to the fetus.

    An infected person can rubella up to one week before the rash appears and up to seven days after. 

     

    As many as half of infected do not develop any symptoms but can still pass the virus to others and make them sick.

  • The vaccine for mumps is part of a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The routine schedule for vaccination is: 

    • First doses between 12 and 15 months of age.
    • Second dose between the ages of 4 and 6.

     

    The MMR vaccine can provide life-long protection from rubella. It can also prevent rubella during future pregnancies. 

     

    Babies born to vaccinated or immune persons are protected from rubella for six to eight months after birth. 

     

    Note: People born before 1957 were likely exposed to the virus and are likely immune to mumps and do not require vaccination. 

  • Symptoms of rubella begin two to three weeks after first exposure to the virus.

     

    Up to half of people infected with rubella have no symptoms.

     

    Symptoms of rubella are difficult to notice, especially in children. They include:

    • A fine pink rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
    • Low fever.
    • Cough.
    • Sore throat.
    • Stuffy or runny nose.
    • Headache. 
    • Pink eye.
    • Joint pain.
    • Swollen lymph nodes.

     

    Up to 70% of women infected with rubella may experience arthritis.

     

    Rubella is extremely serious in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Rubella infection in a pregnant person can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the fetus. 

     

    A baby born with CRS may have:

    • Vision loss from eye disease, including cataracts and glaucoma.
    • Hearing loss.
    • Heart defects.
    • Neurological differences, including underdeveloped brain, brain inflammation, and learning and behavioral differences.
    • Bone disease.
    • Low blood counts (thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia).
    • Thyroid disease.
    • Enlarged liver and spleen.
    • Type 1 diabetes.

  • Rubella was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2004. There are fewer than 10 cases per year in the U.S.

     

    Rubella is still commonly transmitted in many parts of the world: an estimated 100,000 infants are born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) each year worldwide.

  • Rubella is a notifiable disease. A notifiable disease is one that doctors must report to state or local public health officials. 

     

    Public health officials track some diseases because they can spread easily, are serious, or happen often. 

     

  • Get answers to frequently asked questions about Rubella and the vaccine used to prevent it.

     

  • If you have been immunized in the State of Michigan, you may be able to download your immunization record from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).

    Visit the Michigan Immunization Portal to learn more or contact your healthcare provider.