The German measles is a mild but highly infectious disease caused by the rubella virus. Symptoms of German measles include a low grade fever and a fine pink rash over most of the body. Often the virus causes a swelling of the lymph glands behind the ears. Although German measles is a fairly benign disease in healthy children, it can cause birth defects in developing fetuses if the mother contracts the virus during the first trimester of pregnancy. German measles is very contagious and is transmitted via air borne droplets as well as by direct contact with secretions.
Children are contagious for a week before the rash appears until one week after the pink rash fades.
The incubation period for the virus is 14 to 21 days. The German measles can be prevented by immunization. Because of the risk posed to women of childbearing age and their unborn children, it is important to eradicate this viral disease. Alternative medicine is an appropriate approach for the treatment of German measles in healthy children. The illness is usually mild and self-limiting.