Rubella

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Rubella (German measles) is caused by a highly contagious virus. This virus can be passed on through droplets in the air from coughs and sneezes of infected people.

Rubella in children usually causes a mild rash and slightly raised temperature. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella it can cause serious birth defects to her unborn baby.

Rubella has become much less common in the UK since the vaccination was introduced. Previously, only girls were given the rubella jab, but now all children are offered it as part of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) jab.

There have been some concerns about the MMR vaccination and links to autism, but the British Medical Association and the Department of Health recommend that all children have the vaccine. It is important that everyone is immune so the virus can be wiped out and so that serious health problems are not caused by an outbreak of mumps, measles or rubella.