Rubella factsheet
Introduction
Rubella is a viral illness that causes a skin rash and joint pain in children. It can also cause severe health problems in unborn babies, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
The virus is spread when infected fluid droplets come into contact with your child’s mouth or nose. Infected fluid droplets are released into the air and onto objects from coughing and sneezing when you are sick.
Rubella is rare in Australia because of vaccination, but there are still outbreaks that happen throughout the country.
Vaccination is important to prevent infection. People at higher risk of rubella include:
- unvaccinated children and adults
- travellers to countries without routine rubella vaccination
- childcare and healthcare workers
- unborn babies if their mothers are not vaccinated.
Signs and symptoms
About half of all cases of rubella are mild and do now show any symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they usually appear 2 - 3 weeks after infection.
Symptoms may include:
In some cases, rubella can cause:
- joint pain that may last for around a month
- inflammation in the middle ear
- brain inflammation, which is rare but can be fatal.
Rubella is contagious from one week before to at least four days after the rash appears.
Diagnosis
Rubella can be hard to diagnose because symptoms are often not specific.
Your child’s doctor can diagnose rubella based on:
- medical history - including vaccination and travel history
- a physical examination
- blood tests.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for rubella. The aim is to manage symptoms and prevent any complications with:
- rest
- plenty of fluids
- over-the-counter pain relief for fever, aches and pains
- staying isolated for at least four days after the rash begins to avoid spreading the infection.
Management
Pregnancy and rubella
Rubella can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy.
If you catch rubella in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, there is a 90% chance the baby will develop congenital rubella syndrome.
Congenital rubella syndrome can cause:
- miscarriage or stillbirth
- severe health issues for the baby, including heart problems, deafness, or eye problems.
When planning a pregnancy, remember to:
- see your doctor for a blood test to check you are protected against rubella
- wait one month after getting the rubella vaccine before trying to get pregnant.
If you are already pregnant, you should:
- not receive a rubella vaccine, as it contains a live virus
- call your doctor straight away if you have been near someone with rubella.
Rubella vaccine
The rubella vaccine protects against the virus. Two doses are needed, at least 4 weeks apart.
The vaccine is free as part of the National Immunisation Program at:
- 12 months of age – in the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- 18 months of age – in the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
Catch-up vaccines are also free for:
- children who have missed their immunisations
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- refugees and asylum seekers over 10 years old
- babies under 6 months travelling to outbreak areas.
Side effects from vaccines are uncommon and usually mild. They can include:
- pain or swelling where the needle went in
- a faint, red rash
- swollen throat glands
- a mild fever
- feeling unsettled and sleepy.
Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns or if your child is having cancer treatment or taking medicine that lowers their immune system.
Resources and more information
- Rubella Vaccine - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (opens in a new tab)
- Rubella - Australian Immunisation Handbook (opens in a new tab)
- Healthdirect provides free, trusted health information and advice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online or via telephone 1800 022 022 (opens in a new tab)
