What is rubella?
Rubella, also called German measles, is caused by a virus that is spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Rubella is also spread by direct contact with the nasal or throat secretions of an infected person. If a pregnant woman gets rubella during the first 3 months of pregnancy, her baby is at risk of having serious birth defects or dying.

Prevention
There is a safe and effective vaccine to protect against rubella. The vaccine is frequently given to adults as part of a combination vaccine, called the MMR vaccine, that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. There is also a vaccine that protects against rubella only.

Symptoms
Symptoms of rubella may include a rash, slight fever, aching joints, headaches, discomfort, runny nose and reddened eyes. The rash first appears on the face and spreads from head to toe. The lymph nodes just behind the ears and at the back of the neck may swell, causing soreness and pain. Many people with rubella have few or no symptoms, and only about half of the people who have the disease get a rash. In most cases of rubella, symptoms appear within 16-18 days after exposure.

Who should get MMR vaccine?

• Adults born in 1957 or later who do not have a medical contraindication should receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine, unless they have documentation of vaccination with at least one dose of measles-, rubella-, and mumps-containing vaccine or other acceptable evidence of immunity to these three diseases.
• College and university students, healthcare personnel, non-pregnant women of childbearing age, child care workers such as teachers and day care personnel, and international travelers are at increased risk for measles, and these persons should receive two doses of MMR vaccine to ensure adequate protection.

Vaccine Safety
The rubella vaccine and the combined MMR vaccine are very safe. You cannot get rubella from either vaccine. The most common side effect is burning or stinging at the injection site. Other common side effects include fever, rash, headache and general weakness. As with any medicine, there are very small risks that serious problems could occur after getting a vaccine. However, the potential risks associated with rubella are much greater than the potential risks associated with the rubella vaccine.

FACT: Rubella can be prevented with a safe, effective vaccine.

FACT: You cannot get rubella from the rubella vaccine.

FACT: Rubella is contagious from 7 days before to 5-7 days after the rash appears.

FACT: In most cases of rubella, symptoms appear within 12-23 days, and 20% to 50% of cases may be asymptomatic.

FACT: If a pregnant woman gets rubella during the first 3 months of pregnancy, her baby has a good chance of having serious birth defects such as deafness, cataracts, heart defects, liver and spleen damage, and mental retardation.

FACT: During 2000, 87% of all reported cases of rubella occurred among people 15-39 years of age.

FACT: As many as 8 million women of childbearing age are susceptible to rubella.

FACT: Up to 10% of young adults are susceptible to the rubella virus.

National Coalition for Adult Immunization
4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 750
Bethesda, MD 20814-5228

July 2002

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