What is rubella?

Rubella is a disease caused by a virus.  

How can I get rubella?

Rubella spreads through the air, so you can get it by being around another person who has rubella.

How long will it take for me to show symptoms of rubella after I come in contact with it? 

You will have symptoms of rubella 12 to 23 days after you come in contact with it.

What are the symptoms of rubella?

Children usually break out in a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.  Older children and adults will first have a low fever, swollen glands in the neck and behind the ears, and an upper respiratory infection (stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, runny nose, cough) before they get a rash.  Adult women often get pain and stiffness in their finger, wrist, and knees that may last for one month.  Up to half of the people who have rubella have no symptoms at all.

How serious is rubella? 

Rubella is usually mild in children.  Adults with rubella have more problems.  Rubella is very serious for pregnant women.  Rubella in the first three months of pregnancy can lead to the death of the baby, premature delivery or birth defects.

What kind of complications (problems from the disease) come from rubella?

Encephalitis (swelling of the brain) will happen in one in 5,000 people who have rubella, usually adults.  You may also have blood problems, which are temporary (do not last forever).  The most serious complication is Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).  Up to 85% (85 out of 100) of children whose mothers got rubella during the first three months of their pregnancy will be born with some type of birth defect, such as deafness, eye problems, heart problems, retardation, and more. 

Is there a cure for rubella?

There is no cure for rubella.  A person with rubella will be told to get bed rest, drink fluids, and take medicine for their fever.

How do I know if my child has rubella?

A doctor can order laboratory tests that can tell you if you or your child has rubella.

I am allergic to sulfa drugs.  Is there another drug I can take??

There are no other drugs to cure rubella.  You should talk to your doctor about what else you may be able to do.

What do I do if I think my child has been exposed to (has come in contact with) rubella?

If your child has not already had the MMR vaccine (shot) for rubella, it will not help to get the MMR vaccine after the child has come in contact with rubella.  If the child does not get rubella after coming in contact with it, getting the MMR vaccine will protect against getting rubella in the future.

Can you get rubella more than once?

It is rare to get rubella more than one time.