Prevention of Deafblindness

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Rubella

The rubella virus can be caught by coming into close contact with somebody who is already infected. Symptoms include a red, slightly raised rash on the face, neck and body, swollen glands and flu-like symptoms (shivering, coughing, high temperature).

The main danger of Rubella is the threat is poses to unborn children. If a woman catches Rubella early in her pregnancy the baby is at high risk of congenital Rubella syndrome. This can cause deafness, cataracts and other sight problems as well as heart problems, cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.

There is a vaccine available to women in Britain, which can prevent Rubella. It is most commonly given as part of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination. Women who are thinking about having children should be tested by their GP to find out if they are immune to Rubella and if they are not immune, they should receive either the MMR or Rubella vaccine.