Rubella (German measles)

Rubella, also known as German measles, is caused by the rubella virus.

How is rubella spread?

Rubella is spread through saliva droplets in the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. You can become infected by breathing in these droplets or by touching objects contaminated with the virus. A person can spread rubella to others from seven days before the rash starts until seven days after the rash disappears. Rubella can be spread even if a person does not have any symptoms.

What are the symptoms of rubella?

Rubella symptoms usually last two to five days and can include tiredness, mild fever and swollen glands (lymph nodes), especially behind the ears and at the back of the head. Teens and adults may experience muscle and joint pain. Some people may also develop a red pinpoint rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. About half of all people infected with rubella do not develop a rash.

What are the risks of rubella?

Rubella usually causes mild illness. However, rubella infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and severe birth defects such as hearing loss, eye problems, heart problems and damage to other organs, including the brain. This is known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). CRS occurs in about 9 out of 10 babies born to women who have rubella during the first three months of pregnancy.

How can I prevent getting rubella?

The best way to not get rubella is to get immunized. The rubella vaccine is combined with the measles and mumps vaccines (MMR) to protect against all three diseases with one shot. The MMR vaccine is safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get rubella disease. When you get immunized, you help protect others as well.

The MMR vaccine is given free (publicly funded) as part of the B.C. routine immunization schedule. Older children and adults can receive the vaccine if they have not been immunized and have not had disease.

Learn more about who should get the MMR vaccine.

Get immunized against rubella by making an appointment with your doctor, pharmacist (for those 5 years and older) or Public Health.

Learn where to get immunized and how to book an appointment