Rubella
Rubella is a contagious viral infection that is often mild in children and adults but can cause severe birth defects if infection occurs during pregnancy.
What rubella is
Rubella is a contagious viral infection caused by rubella virus. It is often mild, especially in children, and some people have few or no symptoms. Its public-health importance comes from what can happen during pregnancy: the virus can cross the placenta and harm a developing fetus.
German measles is not measles
Rubella is sometimes called German measles or three-day measles because it can cause fever and rash. That nickname is confusing. Rubella and measles are different diseases caused by different viruses. Measles is generally more contagious and often more severe, while rubella's greatest danger is congenital infection during pregnancy.
Symptoms
Rubella may cause a mild fever, rash, headache, runny nose, red eyes, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, or general discomfort. The rash often starts on the face and spreads downward, then fades within a few days. Adults, especially women, may have joint pain or arthritis-like symptoms. Many infections can be subtle enough to miss.
Congenital rubella syndrome
When rubella infection happens during pregnancy, especially early pregnancy, it can cause congenital rubella syndrome. Possible effects include hearing loss, cataracts, heart defects, intellectual disability, liver or spleen problems, low birth weight, and other lifelong conditions. Preventing infection before pregnancy is the safest approach.
How it spreads
Rubella spreads through respiratory droplets from an infected person. People can spread the virus before they know they are sick, and mild cases may not be recognized. That makes immunity through vaccination important, because relying on symptom recognition alone cannot protect pregnant people or vulnerable contacts.
Diagnosis and immunity
Clinicians may use blood tests to check for rubella infection or immunity, and public-health teams may use laboratory testing when rubella is suspected. Testing can be especially important for pregnancy care, outbreak investigation, and people with uncertain vaccination records. A clinician can interpret results in the context of vaccination history and exposure.
Vaccination
Rubella vaccine is usually given as part of the MMR vaccine. In many schedules, children receive two MMR doses. People who may become pregnant should know their rubella immunity status before pregnancy when possible, because MMR is a live vaccine and is not given during pregnancy. Vaccination protects both the person and future pregnancies.
Why it matters
Rubella matters because a disease that looks mild in one person can be devastating for a fetus. High vaccination coverage turns a quiet individual infection into a preventable community risk, protecting newborns, families, and healthcare systems from lifelong consequences of congenital rubella syndrome.