Rubella is a very serious illness when it occurs during early preganancy, frequently resulting in the death of the baby or the congenital rubella syndrome. Rubella can be prevented by a vaccine.
Rubella is most common during winter and spring.
Since the rubella vaccine was introduced, in 1969, the incidence of rubella in industrialized countries has steadily decreased. The rash of rubella appears 14 to 21 days after a person has been infected with the virus and lasts for approximately 5 days. It usually begins as red spots on the face, which spread downwards to cover the entire body. The rash can look similar to that of measles or scarlet fever. Other symptoms can occur 1 to 5 days before the rash and include fever, sore throat, eye irritation, painful joints and tender swelling of the lymph nodes located behind the ear and at the back of the head.