How to Recognize and Prevent Rubella (German Measles)

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Rubella, sometimes called German measles or 3-day measles, is a very rare mild disease brought about by the rubella virus. Rubella is spread by contact with an infected person, by means of coughing and sneezing. Here you will learn to prevent and recognize the disease.

Steps

1. Know what to look for
   • Mild fever.
   • A rash that starts on the face and neck, in time progressing from head to foot.
   • Teenagers and adults with rubella may experience swollen glands in the back of the neck and arthritis-like symptoms in the joints.
2. Understand that the largest risk is for expectant mothers . If a mother-to-be contracts rubella in the early months of her pregnancy, there is an astounding 80% chance that her child will be born with a damaged heart or small brain, deaf or blind, cataracts, liver and spleen damage, or mental retardation. Miscarriages are also common.
3. Know that the MMR vaccine can prevent rubella. Children and adults who have not previously received the MMR or MMRV (prevents measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) vaccine, or who have not been tested negative for the viruses, should be vaccinated.

Tips

• Children who are known to have a severe allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin should not get a MMR vaccination.
• With all vaccines there may be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a dim feeling of discomfort.
• People who are ill, either moderately or severely, should wait until they are well before receiving the vaccine.
• Expectant women should wait to get the vaccine until after they have given birth. Women should not get pregnant for up to 4 weeks after receiving the vaccine.
• Check with your health care provider before getting the vaccine if you have a disease that affects the immune system, have cancer, or suffer from a blood disorder.
• Although rubella is rare in the United States, it continues to exist in many parts of the world. Travelers should take the necessary precautions when traveling to areas where the disease is commonly known to be widespread.

Warnings

• Pregnant women and children who have not had the MMR or MMRV vaccine should avoid traveling to countries where the disease is endemic.