Sometimes rubella is known as , but the word "German" in the name of this disease has nothing to do with the country.
Overview
The name likely comes from the Latin term "germanus" meaning "similar." And indeed, rubella and measles (rubeola) 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 used of the vaccine, U.S. cases are rare. In early 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared rubella eliminated in the United States, but cautioned parents to make sure their children are vaccinated.
Signs and symptoms
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Rubella |
Often the signs and symptoms of rubella are so mild that they're difficult to notice, especially in children. If signs and symptoms do occur, they generally appear between two and three weeks after exposure to the virus. They typically last about two to three days and may include:
Causes
The cause of rubella is a virus that's passed from person to person. It can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or it can spread by direct contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions, such as mucus. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. A person with rubella is contagious from one week before the onset of the rash until about one to two weeks after the rash disappears.
Rubella is rare in the United States because most children receive a vaccination against the infection at an early age. However, cases of rubella do exist, mostly in unvaccinated foreign-born adults.
The disease is still common in many parts of the world, although more than half of all countries now use a rubella vaccine. The prevalence of rubella in some other countries is something to consider before going abroad, especially if you're pregnant.
When to seek medical advice
Contact your doctor if you think you or your child may have been exposed to rubella or has some of the symptoms that might indicate rubella. Remember: Children who receive even a single dose of the MMR vaccine are unlikely to develop rubella.
If you're contemplating getting pregnant, check your vaccination record to make sure you've received your MMR inoculations. It's best for women to be protected against rubella before pregnancy.
If you're pregnant, you'll likely undergo a routine screening for immunity to rubella. But if you've never received the vaccine and think you might have been exposed to rubella, contact your doctor immediately. A blood test might confirm that you're already immune and unlikely to develop rubella.
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