Rubella Disease and Vaccination

Also known as German measles, Rubella is a contagious viral infection and occurs mostly in children and young adults. Though it is also called German measles, it is caused by a different virus than measles.

It is the leading cause of birth defects that can be prevented by vaccination.

Rubella is mostly transmitted via airborne droplets by infected people. The virus spreads when the infected person sneezes or coughs.

Also, pregnant women with a Rubella infection are known to pass it on to their developing babies.

The disease is usually mild in children, and the symptoms include:

• A rash, which starts on the face and can spread to the entire body
• Low fever
• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Mild conjunctivitis i.e. inflammation of eye

Some older children and adults can also have a headache and general discomfort before the rash appears.

Infected adults, mostly women, can develop painful joints or arthritis that could last for about 3-10 days.

Complications:

A rubella infection can cause serious harm to a pregnant woman such as miscarriage or severe birth defects in a developing baby. This is the most serious complication of rubella.

Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) is also a complication of rubella.

Children who have CRS can suffer complications such as hearing impairments, defects in the eye and heart and other lifelong disabilities, including Autism, Diabetes mellitus, Thyroid dysfunction.

Many of the above can need costly therapy, surgeries and other expensive care.

Children should get three doses:

• 1st dose at the age of 9 months
• 2nd dose at the age of 15 months
• 3rd dose between 4 to 6 years

The 3rd dose can also be administered at any time 8 weeks after the previous dose.

Catch-up vaccination:

• All school-aged children and adolescents who have not previously received the Mumps Vaccination (MMR Vaccination), need to be given 2 doses
• If they have been vaccinated once, then just a single dose needs to be administered
• The minimum interval between 2 doses needs to be 4 weeks

However, consult your doctor for more information.

Most children do not have side effects after vaccination. The side effects, if any, are mostly mild and may include:

• Soreness, swelling or redness at the area of vaccination
• Fever
• Minor rash
• Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints

For more details on side effects, please consult your doctor.