Rubella
Rubella, also called German measles or three-day measles, is a very contagious disease caused by the rubella virus. The virus causes fever, swollen lymph nodes behind the ears, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the torso and then to the arms and legs. Rubella is no longer very common because most children are immunized beginning at 12 months of age. Rubella is not usually a serious disease in children, but can be very serious if a pregnant woman becomes infected. Infection with rubella in the first 3 months of pregnancy can cause serious injury to the fetus, resulting in heart damage, blindness, deafness, mental retardation, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
Rubella is spread person-to-person by breathing in droplets of respiratory secretions exhaled by an infected person. It may also be spread when someone touches his or her nose or mouth after their hands have been in contact with infected secretions (such as saliva) of an infected person. A person can spread the disease from as many as 5 days before the rash appears to 5 to 7 days after.
Rubella may be prevented by immunization. The rubella vaccine is part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine series administered to children beginning at 12 months of age.
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About this information: These definitions were provided by the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes for Health and other government health agencies. This information is for educational purposes only. If you are concerned about your health or your child's health, please consult your family's health care provider immediately. This information is not a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or treatment.
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