Rubella is an acute contagious viral infection. While rubella infection generally causes moderate fever and rash in children and adults, infection during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, can result in miscarriage, fetal death, stillbirth or congenital malformations, known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

The rubella virus is transmitted by nasal droplets expelled by infected people when they sneeze or cough. Man is the only known host.

In children, the disease is generally benign, manifesting itself as a rash, mild fever (<39°C), nausea and moderate conjunctivitis. The rash, which occurs in 50% to 80% of cases, generally starts on the face and neck before spreading to the rest of the body, and lasts 1 to 3 days. The most characteristic clinical sign of the disease is enlarged lymph nodes behind the ears and in the neck. Infected adults – usually women – may experience arthritis and joint pain, usually lasting 3 to 10 days.

The virus spreads through the body in 5 to 7 days, and symptoms generally appear 2 to 3 weeks after exposure. Infectivity peaks 1 to 5 days after the appearance of the rash.

Source: World Health Organization