10/20/26 Public Health Education Topic: Rubella
Per CDC
Key points
Rubella spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and usually causes a rash that first appears on the face.
Rubella is very dangerous during pregnancy and for developing babies.
The best protection against rubella is measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
What it is
Rubella is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Rubella is sometimes called “German measles,” but it is caused by a different virus than measles.
The disease is no longer endemic (constantly present) in the United States; but rubella is common in other parts of the world. It can still be brought into the United States by people who get infected in other countries.
Signs and symptoms
Rubella is usually mild, with few noticeable symptoms. For children who do have symptoms, a red rash appearing on the face is typically the first sign.
Most adults who get rubella usually have a mild illness with:
Low-grade fever
Sore throat
A rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body
Up to 70% of women may experience arthritis as a rubella complication; this is rare in children and men.
Prevention
Protect your child with vaccination.
Rubella can be prevented with the MMR vaccine. This protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. CDC recommends that children get 2 doses of MMR vaccine to protect against rubella. Teens and adults should also be up to date on MMR vaccinations.
MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. One dose of the MMR vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing rubella.
To learn more please visit: About Rubella | Rubella | CDC
