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Rubella (German Measles)

Vaccine schedule for children 0-6

2 vaccines between 12-15 months and 4-6 years.

Complications

Women who contract rubella are prone to experiencing arthritis. Rubella is also very dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn children. Rubella can cause miscarriage and preterm labour as well as birth defects in the developing baby.

These birth defects are collectively called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and can include:

  • heart problems,

  • intellectual disability,

  • liver or spleen damage, and

  • loss of hearing and eyesight

Signs + Symptoms

Rubella is usually not severe and symptoms are usually mild. The rash only lasts for a few days, along with other symptoms that usually occur before the rash. These symptoms can include:

  • a low-grade fever

  • cough

  • discomfort

  • headache

  • pink eye

  • runny nose

  • swollen lymph nodes

Treatment

There is currently no prescribed treatment for rubella. Various medications can be used to help with symptom management.

Transmission

Rubella spreads through coughing and sneezing. Infected people are contagious from one week before their rash appears to one week after.

Source: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

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