Overview
Rubella is a contagious illness you get from the RuV virus. It causes a rash that usually starts on your face and moves down your body. It can cause serious illness in newborns of people who had rubella while pregnant.
Rubella is also called German measles or three-day measles. Even though it causes a rash like measles, rubella happens because of a different virus than measles.
What is congenital rubella syndrome?
Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is the most serious form of rubella. It happens when a pregnant person passes rubella to the fetus. This can cause skin, hearing, vision, heart and brain problems in newborns.
Are rubella and measles the same?
No, rubella and measles are different illnesses. They both give you a rash, but different viruses cause them.
Who does rubella affect?
Anyone can get rubella, but the most serious form of rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, affects newborns born to someone who had rubella during pregnancy.
The U.S. eliminated rubella (meaning it’s no longer continuously spread) in 2004, but you can still get rubella in other parts of the world.
How common is rubella?
There are about 26,000 cases of rubella worldwide each year. It’s most common in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. There are only a few cases diagnosed each year in the U.S. since the disease’s elimination.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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