RUBELLA
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IMPORTANT
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Rubella infection during pregnancy can seriously damage an unborn baby.
This damage is easily preventable by ensuring that all women have immunity well before each pregnancy.
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What is rubella?
Rubella which is also known as german measles is a viral infection.
When a person has been in contact with rubella it takes two or three
weeks to develop symptoms. The person may feel off-colour for a few days.
Symptoms are generally mild and may include:
- Rash, if it develops will usually start on the face and neck and spread to the body
- Fever
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Joint pains (more common in adults)
The symptoms of rubella usually last about three days and up to 50%
of people may have no symptoms at all so can have the disease without
being aware. Recovery from Rubella is usually complete.
How is rubella spread?
Rubella is very easily spread by droplets in the air through coughs and sneezes
or by direct contact with a persons nose and throat secretions. Anyone with no
immunity can catch rubella.
When is rubella dangerous?
Rubella is dangerous when women are infected during the early stages of
pregnancy, especially during the first sixteen weeks. The virus can cause
miscarriage, stillbirth or severe damage to the unborn baby.
The earlier in pregnancy the mother is infected, the more severe the
damage to the baby is likely to be.
How can rubella affect the unborn baby?
A baby whose mother contracts rubella early in pregnancy can be born
with a range of defects which is given the collective name of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
The virus seems to affect the cells of parts of the baby’s body that are developing at the time
the mother is infected. Possible abnormalities which can result can include deafness, blindness, heart
and brain damage or damage to the nervous system.
Can Congenital Rubella Syndrome be prevented?
The best way to prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome is by all
women making certain they have immunity to rubella well before each
pregnancy. Immunisation and having a blood test is the most effective
way of ensuring this.
A blood test for rubella antibodies is recommended
before each pregnancy.
To reduce the risk to pregnant women it is important for the whole
community to be immunised.
What vaccine protects against rubella?
MMR vaccine protects against rubella. It is a combination vaccine which
also protects against measles and mumps. The vaccine contains small amounts
of reduced strength measles, mumps and rubella viruses and a small amount of antibiotic (neomycin)
The aim of rubella vaccination is to stop the circulation of the rubella virus in the community.
Who should have MMR vaccine?
In Australia all children are given a first dose of MMR vaccine at part of the National Immunisation
Program at 12 months and a second dose at 4 years of age. All women planning a
pregnancy should check their immunity and have the vaccine at least one month before conception
if required.
The recommendation of the Department of Health is that everyone should have two doses
of MMR vaccine. Any individual born during or since 1965, who has no evidence of having
had either the vaccines or all three diseases should speak to their healthcare provider.
Childcare and Healthcare workers are advised to ensure they have been immunised.
MMR vaccination is also recommended for travel to many world regions (check with your doctor).
People from Asia and Africa who have entered Australia after the age of routine
vaccination are advised to seek vaccination. A rubella containing vaccine is not
offered in many parts of the world particularly in Asian and African countries.
Due to good immunisation coverage in Australia, the incidence of rubella is low.
However there is no room for complacency, if the numbers of children/people vaccinated
begins to fall, rubella incidence will begin to increase.
How safe is the MMR vaccine?
MMR is a very safe and effective vaccine. Reactions to the vaccine
are much less frequent and severe than the complications of the disease.
The most common reactions include feeling unwell, low grade fever, possible
rash six to eleven days after immunisation. Swelling of the facial
glands is possible after three weeks due to the mumps
component of the MMR vaccine.
At the rate of approximately, one in a million doses, a more serious reaction,
inflammation of the brain, can occur.
Who should not be vaccinated?
MMR vaccine should not be given to anyone who:
