If a pregnant woman gets infected with the Rubella virus, it can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth or cause congenital rubella syndrome in babies, including birth defects
German measles (rubella) or three-day measles (rubeola), is usually a mild illness caused by the rubella virus. In comparison, the measles virus (rubeola virus, a paramyxovirus, genus Morbillivirus) causes measles.
How serious is rubella in pregnancy?
Usually, rubella is a mild illness that affects adults and children. However, rubella can become severe if a pregnant woman contracts the virus. The woman may face pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage or stillbirth. Additionally, the mother may pass on the virus to the child, causing severe birth defects, including:
How are rubella and measles (rubeola) different?
Although rubella or measles may have some similar characteristics, they are not the same.
| Rubella | Measles (Rubeola) |
|---|---|
| Rubella is caused by the Rubella virus that invades the lymph nodes, eyes, and skin. | Measles is caused by Morbillivirus that infects the respiratory system. |
| Usually mild, but can get severe in pregnant women. | Severe and can be life-threatening. |
| Characterized by a pink rash that starts in the face and spreads to the body, lasting for three to five days. The rash may be itchy and associated with other symptoms, such as red and watery eyes, running nose, headache, and joint pain. | Symptoms start with high fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background are found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek (Koplik’s spots) two-three days after the initial symptoms. The rash appears as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. |
| Symptoms may appear 12 to 23 days after contact with the virus. | Symptoms may appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. |
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In rare cases, rubella can cause serious problems, including brain infection and bleeding problems. Infected babies can develop congenital rubella syndrome, with birth defects such as:
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Complications of measles include:
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Can rubella be prevented?
Rubella can be prevented if you take the rubella vaccine that typically consists of a combination of measles, mumps, and varicella vaccines.
Rubella vaccines are generally administered to children when they are 12 to 15 months old. The second dose is administered between the ages of four and six years.
If you are planning to become pregnant, you must know if you are vaccinated against rubella. If you are not sure about your vaccination status, you should have your immunity tested. Additionally, people should get their immunity tested if they:
- Attend an educational facility.
- Work in a medical facility or school.
- Frequently travel to countries that don’t offer immunization against rubella.
You can expect some side effects after getting a rubella vaccine. Hence, the following people should not get the vaccine:
- Immunocompromised people
- Pregnant women
SLIDESHOW
Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See Slideshow
Medically Reviewed on 1/20/2022
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles (Rubeola). https://www.cdc.gov/measles/symptoms/signs-symptoms.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rubella (German Measles, Three-Day Measles). https://www.cdc.gov/rubella/about/complications.html