Rubella, also known as German measles, is a viral infection spread through coughs, sneezes, and from mother to fetus. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella early in pregnancy, it poses a high risk of congenital rubella syndrome in the baby, which can cause disabilities such as heart problems, vision/hearing loss, and intellectual impairment. Symptoms of rubella are generally mild and flu-like, including fever, headache, and rash. Prevention involves vaccination before and after pregnancy.

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Rubella (German measles)
- is an infection caused by the rubella virus.
- It’s spread through:
1. coughs and sneezes
2. and from a pregnant woman to her baby in the uterus.
- If the pregnant women has rubella (German measles) in the
first few months of pregnancy, there is a high chance that
the virus will cause severe damage to your developing
baby.
- The risks of your baby developing congenital rubella
syndrome are greatest in the first 16 weeks of your
pregnancy.
- The virus affects the developing organs and the baby may
be born with serious disability.
Sign & Symptoms of Rubella:
- About half of people with rubella have signs and
symptoms, and half don’t.
- Rubella is usually mild with flu-like symptoms followed by
a rash (lasts about 3 days).
- Flu-like symptoms include:
 Low-grade fever
 Headache
 Runny nose
 Red eyes
 Swollen glands
 Muscle or joint pain

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Complication:
Having rubella during pregnancy increases the risk of:
1. Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)
- This is a condition that happens when a mother passes
rubella to her baby during pregnancy.
- It may cause a baby to be born with one or more birth
defects,
- including heart problems, microcephaly, vision problems,
hearing problems, intellectual disability, bone problems,
growth problems, and liver and spleen damage.

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2. Miscarriage
This is when a baby dies in the uterus before 20 weeks of
pregnancy.
3. Stillbirth
This is when a baby dies in the uterus after 20 weeks of
pregnancy.
4. Premature birth
This is birth that happens too early, before 37 weeks of
pregnancy.
Prevention:
 Before pregnancy. Get the measles, mumps and rubella
(MMR) vaccine.
Wait 1 month before trying to get pregnant after getting
the shot.
 During pregnancy.
- You can be tested at a prenatal visit to make sure you’re
immune to rubella.
- If you’re not immune:
1. the MMR vaccine isn’t recommended during
pregnancy.
2. Stay away from anyone who has the infection.
 After pregnancy. Get the MMR vaccination after you give
birth.