Rubella, also known as German measles, is a short-lived infectious disease of childhood caused by a togavirus. German measles and so-called red measles, or rubeola, are not directly related to each other, though both are covered by the common MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.
How common is rubella?
The rubella virus has been eliminated in the United States because of the successful vaccination of children. Fewer than 10 people a year contract the illness, and all of those cases have been traced to travelers who carried the virus in from abroad.
Who is most at risk for rubella?
Most women of childbearing age either have had the disease or have been immunized against it as a child. Even if you're not immune, the risk that you might contract rubella is very low since the disease has been eliminated in the U.S. and most people are immune and unlikely to come down with it in the first place.
However, since rubella is contagious and since it hasn't been eliminated abroad, a nonimmune person is at risk of getting the illness if they come into contact with someone who is infected.
What are the symptoms of rubella?
Rubella causes only mild symptoms, including:
- Low fever
- Swollen glands
- Joint pain
- A fine, red rash
Should you be concerned about rubella during pregnancy?
Rubella is a fairly mild illness in children and even adults, but it could be devastating to unborn babies. The rubella virus is able to cross the placenta and is most dangerous early in pregnancy, when babies exposed to the virus are at risk of a condition called congenital rubella syndrome, characterized by eye defects, heart defects and intellectual disabilities.
The risk of miscarriage or stillbirth also increases if a pregnant woman contracts rubella. By the month 3, the risk of birth defects is much lower, and after that, lower still.
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As with many of the childhood infectious illnesses, the most important thing to do is to make sure you've either been vaccinated or are already immune before you become pregnant. (Most practitioners will test for it at your first prenatal visit.)
It's likely that you already are immune, though if you're not and you're already pregnant, it is not recommended to receive the vaccine since it contains attenuated live virus. If you believe you've been exposed to rubella, inform your practitioner immediately.
If you have any other children, they can still be vaccinated against rubella during your pregnancy; this will put neither you nor your baby at risk, and it will save your children from having to worry about a rubella infection when they get older.
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