What is rubella?

Rubella is a contagious virus, also known as ‘German measles'. It is different from the measles virus. Many people with rubella have no symptoms, while others experience a mild illness with fever and a red rash.

Rubella is usually not dangerous. However, if contracted during pregnancy, it can cause serious birth defects in the baby.

Rubella is now rare in Australia thanks to childhood vaccination programs. Outbreaks can still occur among people who are not immune.

This page focuses on advice for adults and children over 5 years. You can find information about rubella during pregnancy and in babies and younger children on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.

What are the symptoms of rubella?

About half of people who catch rubella do not have any symptoms. People without symptoms can still spread the infection to others.

People with rubella who feel unwell usually notice symptoms about 2 – 3 weeks after contact with a person infected with the virus.

Symptoms are usually mild, and include:

• red rash — which usually starts a few days after becoming unwell
• mild fever
• headache
• swollen glands
• runny nose
• joint pain
• sore, red eyes

Very rarely, rubella can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

What causes rubella and how is it spread?

Rubella is caused by a virus. It spreads through contact with an infected person's respiratory fluids, for example, if they cough or sneeze nearby. Rubella can also spread through direct contact with an infected person.

If you are pregnant, you can spread rubella to your baby via your bloodstream. Babies who become infected during pregnancy may also spread rubella after they are born through their respiratory fluids and urine.

If you have rubella, it is important to stay home from childcare, school or work to stop spreading the infection to others. Rubella is contagious from 1 week before the rash appears, and it stops being contagious when you are completely well, or up to 7 days after you first see the rash — whichever is first.

Ask your doctor if you are unsure when it is safe for you or your child to return to work or school.

Rubella is a notifiable disease. This means that a doctor who diagnoses rubella needs to report it to the local health authorities. It is important for local health authorities to know about cases of rubella in the community. This is so they can take steps to control an outbreak and protect people who may be at risk.

Who is at risk of catching rubella?

Anyone of any age can catch rubella if they are not immune. You are immune to rubella if you have caught it in the past or received a course of rubella vaccinations. In Australia, people born before 1966 are generally considered to be immune, because it is likely that they caught rubella in childhood.

Some people are reinfected by rubella even if they have had it before or been vaccinated.

If you aren't immune to rubella, you are at a higher risk of catching it if you:

• travel to places where rubella vaccination programs aren't widespread
• work in a childcare or healthcare setting

Unborn babies of people who have low or no immunity are also at risk.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if you think you or your child may have rubella. It is important to get a diagnosis from a doctor, as many other illnesses have symptoms similar to rubella.

If you have severe symptoms, you should see your doctor, as it may be a sign that you have an illness other than rubella that may need medical treatment.

Since rubella is contagious, you should:

• Call ahead before you visit your doctor, so that they can arrange for you to sit away from other patients in the clinic.
• Ask your doctor about the possibility of a home visit or telehealth appointment, such as a phone or video call.

What if I'm pregnant and think I have rubella?

If you are pregnant and you think that you may have rubella or may have had contact with an infected person, see your doctor or midwife urgently for advice.

You can schedule a video call with a maternal child health nurse from the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby team. Video call is a free service and is available from 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).

How is rubella diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your rash. They may also ask if you think you have had contact with anyone who has rubella and about your vaccination history.

If your doctor suspects rubella, they may refer you for a blood test, throat swab or urine test to confirm the diagnosis. They may also refer you for other tests to rule out illnesses with similar symptoms.

How is rubella treated?

There is no specific medicine or treatment for rubella. Antibiotics will not help you recover from rubella faster. Rubella is caused by a virus, and antibiotics are not effective against viruses.

Most people recover from rubella at home without medical treatment. It can help to:

• get plenty of rest
• drink lots of fluids
• take paracetamol to relieve fever

Rubella is contagious, so to prevent the spread of the infection you should:

• isolate for at least 7 days after the rash starts
• inform people you have been in contact with
• cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
• wash your hands thoroughly after touching your nose or mouth

How can I prevent rubella?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent rubella.

What is the rubella vaccine?

There are two types of combination vaccines that include rubella. There is a combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as well as a vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMR-V).

Both are very effective and have similar side effects. Your doctor can advise which vaccine is right for you. The MMR-V vaccine is generally not recommended for people older than 14 years of age.

Is the rubella vaccine safe?

You cannot catch rubella from the vaccine.

MMR and MMR-V vaccinations do not cause autism. Medical and scientific experts have completely discredited any research that might have suggested a link between the MMR and MMR-V vaccines and autism.

As with all vaccines, the rubella vaccine can cause side effects, but most are not serious. These can include pain where the vaccine was injected, fever, rash or tiredness. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about any symptoms you are experiencing after the vaccine.

Who should get the rubella vaccine?

• Children aged 12 months and up should receive 2 doses of a rubella-containing vaccine. It is free on the National Immunisation Program Schedule at 12 months (MMR vaccine) and 18 months (MMR-V vaccine) of age.
• Anyone born during or after 1966 and has not had the rubella vaccine should be vaccinated. This is especially important if you are old enough to become pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.
• Anyone who works in childcare or healthcare should be vaccinated.

The rubella vaccine is not recommended if you are already pregnant or if you have a weakened immune system. It is also not recommended for people that experienced a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after previous doses of the rubella vaccine.

If you are not sure whether you have had the rubella vaccine, or want to make sure that you have immunity, talk to your doctor about having a blood test.

What are the complications of rubella?

Rubella does not usually cause complications, except in unborn babies. In very rare cases, rubella may cause joint inflammation (arthritis) or neurological problems in adults.

If you have rubella and are experiencing severe symptoms, speak to your doctor.

Resources and support

• For more information about immunisation in Australia, visit the Department of Health Immunisation website.
• Find out where to get vaccinated against rubella at Getting vaccinated.
• For more information about birth defects, visit the Australian Birth Defects Society.
• The Sharing Knowledge About Immunisationwebsite has videos and other tools to help you make decisions about immunisation and your family.