10 Rubella Symptoms

By dr. okoye okoye

Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky

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Rubella, more commonly known as German measles or three-day measles, is a contagious disease caused by the rubella virus. Rubella is transmitted by airborne droplets from sneezing and coughing. Children and adults can get infected with rubella. It can have complications for pregnant women like miscarriage, stillbirths, or the transmission of rubella to the infant.

Worldwide it is estimated that there are 100,000 cases of congenital rubella syndrome each year. Infections are highest in countries that have the lowest rubella vaccination rates like Southeast Asia and Africa. Humans are the only known host of the rubella virus so it is a disease that can be eradicated.

Symptom #1: Fever

Rubella causes a mild fever that is usually around 102F or 38.8C. The fever is caused by the viral infection, and is the immune system’s way of fighting off the rubella virus. Because the fever is mild, there is no need to take medication. The incubation of the virus is two to three weeks.

Adults will have worse symptoms than children and will often experience mild fever one to five days before the rash and other symptoms appear. The fever usually lasts for several days. In itself, the fever does not cause any complications.