Rubella

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes When to seek medical advice Screening and diagnosis

Complications Treatment Prevention Self-care

Introduction

Rubella is sometimes called German measles or three-day (3-day) measles. Rubella is not the same as measles (rubeola). These conditions share some characteristics, but they're caused by different viruses.

Rubella and measles are both contagious viral infections best known by the distinctive red rash that may appear on the skin of those who contract either illness. However, rubella is neither as infectious nor usually as severe as measles, which is why rubella is also called three-day measles. There is one important exception: If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, especially during her first trimester, the virus can cause death or serious birth defects in the developing fetus.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, usually given to children in the United States twice before they reach school age, is highly effective in preventing the illness. Rubella outbreaks once were common in the United States. Today, because of widespread use of the vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared rubella eliminated in the United States, but cautions parents to make sure their children are vaccinated.

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Signs and symptoms