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Rubella

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Three day measles; German measles

Treatment:

There is no treatment for this disease. Acetaminophen can be given to reduce fever. The treatment of congenital rubella syndrome is for the defects that may be present.

Expectations (prognosis):

Rubella is usually a mild, self-limited infection.

About 25% or more infants born to mothers infected with rubella during early pregnancy will develop congenital rubella syndrome associated with a poor outcome.

Complications:

• Congenital rubella syndrome
• Encephalitis (rare)
• Otitis media (rare)
• Transient arthritis (common in adolescents and adults with rubella)

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your doctor if:

• You are a woman of childbearing age and are unsure of your immunity to rubella
• Severe headache, stiff neck, earache, or visual disturbances develop during or after a case of rubella
• You or your child need to receive MMR immunization (vaccine)

• Review Date: 5/1/2007
• Reviewed By: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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