Rubella (german measles)
Rubella (sometimes called “German measles”) is a viral disease that usually causes a mild illness in most people. However, rubella can be serious for pregnant women.
Infection during early pregnancy can cause pregnancy loss, or for the baby to be born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Babies with CRS struggle to grow and put on weight, and can be born with hearing, vision and heart defects. They may also have problems with bone and liver disease.
Rubella is rare in Australia because of vaccination, but rubella outbreaks and CRS in people who have not had the rubella vaccine can occur.
Signs and symptoms
Most healthy people with rubella, especially children, have a mild illness. Symptoms include fevers, headaches, cough, runny nose, and feel generally stiff and sore.
The most common rubella symptom is a red rash that starts about 5 days after becoming unwell. The rash usually starts on the face and then spreads over the body.
Rubella can rarely (about 1 in 6,000 cases) cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which may cause long-term problems.
Treatment
There is no treatment for rubella. Most people get better with rest and paracetamol to help with pain and fevers. People who are very sick might need to be hospitalised.
Transmission
Rubella is very contagious and spreads by coughs, sneezes, and saliva. A person with rubella may infect others from one week before until 4 days after the rash appears. People with no symptoms can still infect others.
Prevention
Anyone with rubella should not attend childcare, school, work, and crowded areas until they are better and at least 4 days after their rash started. It is very important to stay away from pregnant women.
There is a safe and effective rubella containing vaccine that includes measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and is offered to children at 12 months of age. A second vaccine, given at 18 months, also protects children against chickenpox (MMRV).
If people have missed a vaccine, they can be given at any age. Thinking about whether you are protected is especially important if you were born overseas and might not have had the vaccine, work in healthcare or childcare, or are planning a pregnancy. In Queensland, MMR vaccine is offered free for people born during or since 1966.
All vaccines can have side effects, but most are not serious. Some people can have pain where the needle was given, fever, rash, or tiredness. Side effects usually happen within 10 days of the vaccine and only last a few days. Very rarely, some people can have a severe allergic reaction. Talk to your doctor if you or your child have symptoms you are concerned about after a vaccine.
What to do if you are planning a pregnancy
Women planning a pregnancy should check with their doctor if they are immune. Women who are not immune require 2 doses of vaccine a minimum of 28 days apart and should avoid pregnancy for at least 28 days after immunisation. Women who are not immune and are already pregnant should not receive a MMR or MMRV vaccine but arrange for vaccination soon after they have their baby.
Pregnant women who think they have been in contact with rubella should see their doctor.
Help and assistance
For further information, please contact your local doctor, health centre or nearest public health unit; or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the cost of a local call.
Related Content
Other Resources
- Queensland Health immunisation
- 13 HEALTH (call 13 43 25 84)
- Immunise Australia (call 1800 671 811)