Rubella (German Measles)

Rubella is a mildly infectious illness caused by a virus, and although infectious, it is not as infectious as other childhood illnesses such as chickenpox or measles. There tends top be epidemics of Rubella every few years but as the symptoms can be quite mild some people do not even realise they have had it. The virus is passed through droplets in the air through coughs and sneezes and this is why children can be affected because there can be mini outbreaks in schools and nurseries where children play closely together.

If you catch Rubella during pregnancy it is very serious because it poses a risk to your unborn child. (See below)

Symptoms
The symptoms of Rubella usually start with a mild fever and swollen glands behind the neck and ears. After about three to four days a spotty red/brown rash will start to appear, usually behind the ears, then on the head and neck and finally on the legs and rest of the body. The incubation period is about 12 to 14 days, and symptoms usually follow after that. Whilst Rubella is not serious it is contagious and your child should be kept in isolation for about five days after the spotty rash appears.

Diagnosis
It is best to keep your child at home whilst he has Rubella so consult your doctor on the phone. You don’t want to take your child into a doctor’s surgery where he can infect other children or pregnant women. Seek medical help straight away if your child has a headache or a stiff neck.

Treatment
Like many childhood viruses there is no treatment for Rubella and it is best to let the virus run its course. Try to make your child as comfortable as possible and treat his fever with children’s medicine or a tepid sponge if it is high. Keep your child away from school, nursery or other children for five days until the spotty rash has gone.

Prevention
Babies are immune to Measles, mumps and Rubella for the first year of their lives that is why they are offered the triple vaccine (MMR) between 12 –15 months old, followed by a booster just before they start school. However, there is some debate about the side effects to giving your child the MMR vaccine and some parents decide not to give go ahead with the vaccination. (See our Tests and Immunisations area or our article How safe is the MMR?

Pregnancy
In 1988 routine vaccinations were carried out for Rubella and the incidence of babies born with birth defects such as blindness, deafness, mental problems, heart defects and cataracts has gone down.

If you are planning to have a baby it is a good idea to check with your GP to see how up to date you are with your Rubella injections. Even if you have been injected against the virus in the past it can wear off and you may need another vaccination. Your GP or midwife can perform a simple test to see whether antibodies against the virus are present in your blood, if not you will be offered the vaccine. Take care not to get pregnant for at least a month after having the vaccination or booster.

If you are already pregnant you cannot have the vaccination but you can have one shortly after the birth of your baby, so check this with your GP or midwife.

Try to stay away from anyone who has Rubella when you are pregnant and have not been immunised against it. If you do come into contact with the virus, consult your doctor immediately as you may need an injection of Immunoglobin which is a concentration of antibodies designed to give you short-term protection until your baby is born.