Rubella
(German Measles)

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An acute viral disease that causes fever and rash.

Rash and fever for two to three days (mild disease in children and young adults).

Birth defects if acquired by a pregnant woman: deafness, cataracts, heart defects, mental retardation, and liver and spleen damage (at least a 20% chance of damage to the fetus if a woman is infected early in pregnancy).

Spread by contact with an infected person, through coughing and sneezing.

Rubella vaccine (contained in MMR vaccine) can prevent this disease.

Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine:

• The first dose at 12-15 months of age
• The second dose at 4-6 years of age

These are the recommended ages. But children can get the second dose at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.