Rubella (German Measles)
Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Rubella (German Measles)
Reportable to local or state health department
Consult the health department before posting/distributing Parent/Guardian fact sheet.
Rubella (German measles) is a mild rash illness that can be prevented through vaccination. If a pregnant woman develops rubella, the baby can become infected and develop serious problems known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). If a pregnant woman is exposed to rubella, she should call her healthcare provider immediately, particularly if she does not know whether she is immune (has had rubella disease or vaccine in the past). (See Rubella and Pregnancy fact sheet).
Cause
Rubella virus.
Symptoms
Low-grade fever, swollen glands in the area behind the ears and in the neck, and rash. Rash usually appears first on the face and moves from head to foot. The rash usually lasts 3 days. Adults, especially women, may have sore or swollen joints.
This joint pain usually lasts for less than one month. Up to half of all infected persons have no symptoms. Rarely, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) may occur.
Spread
Rubella is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes tiny droplets with rubella virus into the air and another person breathes them in. People can also get infected from touching the secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person and then touching their mouth, eyes, or nose.
Incubation
It takes 14 to 21 days, usually 16 to 18 days, from the time a person is exposed until the symptoms begin.
Contagious Period
From 7 days before to 7 days after the rash begins; children are most contagious from 3 to 4 days before rash starts until 7 days after the rash starts. Infants with CRS may shed virus for 12 months.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until 7 days after the rash appears.
Exclude unvaccinated children and staff for at least 3 weeks after the onset of rash in the last person who developed rubella. Recommendations for exclusion should be done in collaboration with public health staff.
Diagnosis
Swabs from the throat or nose should be collected as soon as possible after rash onset and a blood test should be done 3 to 5 days after the symptoms begin. Other laboratory specimens may be collected.
Treatment
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider.
Prevention/Control
- All children 15 months of age or older must be vaccinated against rubella or have an exemption for child care/preschool enrollment. Two doses or a legal exemption are required for K-12 school enrollment.
- Unvaccinated people who have been exposed to rubella should call their healthcare provider or local public health clinic as soon as possible to be vaccinated.
- Encourage parents/guardians to notify the child care provider or school when their child is vaccinated so their records can be updated.
- Recommend staff stay home if they develop symptoms of rubella. Encourage parents/guardians to keep their child home if they develop a rash, fever, and swollen glands behind the ears or neck.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough/sneeze into your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues in the trash.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled. (See Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfection)
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after contact with secretions from the nose or mouth or handling used tissues. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Rubella Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Rubella
Rubella is a viral illness that can be prevented through vaccination.
If you think your child has Rubella:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, until 7 days after the rash appears.
- Child Care and School:
If a case of rubella occurs in your child care or school, public health will inform unvaccinated children and staff how long they will need to stay home.
Symptoms
Your child may have fever, rash, and swollen glands. The rash usually appears first on the face and moves toward the feet, and typically lasts 3 days. Other symptoms may include cough, runny nose, headache, malaise, and conjunctivitis.
If your child has been infected, it may take 14 to 21 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By coughing and sneezing.
- By touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
Contagious Period
From 7 days before until 7 days after the rash begins.
Call your Healthcare Provider
If anyone in your home:
- was exposed to rubella and has not had rubella disease or rubella vaccine in the past.
- develops a rash, fever, and swollen glands. A lab test may be done.
- is pregnant and/or develops a rash. This is important because the baby can become infected.
Prevention
- All children 15 months of age or older must be vaccinated against rubella or have an exemption for child care/preschool enrollment. Two doses or a legal exemption are required for K-12 school enrollment.
- When a rubella outbreak is identified, susceptible individuals should be excluded or vaccinated. Exclusion should continue until at least 3 weeks after the onset of rash in the last reported case-patient in the outbreak setting.
- Parents should keep infants away from individuals suspected of having rubella.
- People who have close contact with infants should be up-to-date on their immunizations.
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing; use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues in the trash.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with secretions from the nose or mouth. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect anything that comes in contact with secretions from the nose or mouth. Use a product that kills viruses.
- DO NOT share anything that you put in your mouth, for example, beverage containers, eating utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, and lip balm.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Reportable to local or state health department
Consult the health department before posting/distributing Parent/Guardian fact sheet.
Rubella (German measles) is a mild rash illness that can be prevented through vaccination. If a pregnant woman develops rubella, the baby can become infected and develop serious problems known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). If a pregnant woman is exposed to rubella, she should call her healthcare provider immediately, particularly if she does not know whether she is immune (has had rubella disease or vaccine in the past). (See Rubella and Pregnancy fact sheet).
Cause
Rubella virus.
Symptoms
Low-grade fever, swollen glands in the area behind the ears and in the neck, and rash. Rash usually appears first on the face and moves from head to foot. The rash usually lasts 3 days. Adults, especially women, may have sore or swollen joints.
This joint pain usually lasts for less than one month. Up to half of all infected persons have no symptoms. Rarely, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) may occur.
Spread
Rubella is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes tiny droplets with rubella virus into the air and another person breathes them in. People can also get infected from touching the secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person and then touching their mouth, eyes, or nose.
Incubation
It takes 14 to 21 days, usually 16 to 18 days, from the time a person is exposed until the symptoms begin.
Contagious Period
From 7 days before to 7 days after the rash begins; children are most contagious from 3 to 4 days before rash starts until 7 days after the rash starts. Infants with CRS may shed virus for 12 months.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until 7 days after the rash appears.
Exclude unvaccinated children and staff for at least 3 weeks after the onset of rash in the last person who developed rubella. Recommendations for exclusion should be done in collaboration with public health staff.
Diagnosis
Swabs from the throat or nose should be collected as soon as possible after rash onset and a blood test should be done 3 to 5 days after the symptoms begin. Other laboratory specimens may be collected.
Treatment
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider.
Prevention/Control
- All children 15 months of age or older must be vaccinated against rubella or have an exemption for child care/preschool enrollment. Two doses or a legal exemption are required for K-12 school enrollment.
- Unvaccinated people who have been exposed to rubella should call their healthcare provider or local public health clinic as soon as possible to be vaccinated.
- Encourage parents/guardians to notify the child care provider or school when their child is vaccinated so their records can be updated.
- Recommend staff stay home if they develop symptoms of rubella. Encourage parents/guardians to keep their child home if they develop a rash, fever, and swollen glands behind the ears or neck.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough/sneeze into your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues in the trash.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled. (See Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfection)
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after contact with secretions from the nose or mouth or handling used tissues. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Rubella Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Rubella
Rubella is a viral illness that can be prevented through vaccination.
If you think your child has Croup:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, until 7 days after the rash appears.
- Child Care and School:
If a case of rubella occurs in your child care or school, public health will inform unvaccinated children and staff how long they will need to stay home.
Symptoms
Your child may have fever, rash, and swollen glands. The rash usually appears first on the face and moves toward the feet, and typically lasts 3 days. Other symptoms may include cough, runny nose, headache, malaise, and conjunctivitis.
If your child has been infected, it may take 14 to 21 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By coughing and sneezing.
- By touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
Contagious Period
From 7 days before until 7 days after the rash begins.
Call your Healthcare Provider
If anyone in your home:
- was exposed to rubella and has not had rubella disease or rubella vaccine in the past.
- develops a rash, fever, and swollen glands. A lab test may be done.
- is pregnant and/or develops a rash. This is important because the baby can become infected.
Prevention
- All children 15 months of age or older must be vaccinated against rubella or have an exemption for child care/preschool enrollment. Two doses or a legal exemption are required for K-12 school enrollment.
- When a rubella outbreak is identified, susceptible individuals should be excluded or vaccinated. Exclusion should continue until at least 3 weeks after the onset of rash in the last reported case-patient in the outbreak setting.
- Parents should keep infants away from individuals suspected of having rubella.
- People who have close contact with infants should be up-to-date on their immunizations.
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing; use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues in the trash.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with secretions from the nose or mouth. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect anything that comes in contact with secretions from the nose or mouth. Use a product that kills viruses.
- DO NOT share anything that you put in your mouth, for example, beverage containers, eating utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, and lip balm.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.