Often termed as German measles, Rubella is a fast spreading viral infection that commences with the appearance of rash on face which is pinkish-red in nature. This virus eventually spreads throughout the body.

What are the symptoms?

• Swollen and enlarged lymph glands 
• Mild and soft temperature rise
• Inflammation of eyes 
• Running nose or some kind of stuffiness
• Joint pain as well as headaches 

Modes of contamination 

This disease is categorized as droplet infection which means that it can be spread through sneezes or cough. It can even spread from the mother to the developing baby in case of pregnant woman. 

The Diagnosis 

Due to its similarity in terms of appearance to the other formats of viral rashes, the doctors can recommend you a laboratory test for analyzing the type of virus culture.

Effects of Rubella on pregnancy

Rubella is considered to be a comparatively mild form of illness but if it gets passed to the baby during the phase of pregnancy, it can result in deformations like encephalitis which causes inflammation of the brain of the child as well as deafness and other kinds of heart defects.

Reportedly, it has been proven that more than 75 percent of women are immune to this disease and therefore this problem cannot cause any kind of complication at the time of delivery. The prime reason behind this is that they had been vaccinated from this disease at a very young age when they came across a similar illness.

What if you are not immune?

If you are one of those women who is not resistant to or vaccinated against this disease then it would be best if you get yourself the desired vaccination prior to your pregnancy. You should maintain a gap of at least one month after the vaccination and before the time you conceive. 

This process provides your body and the vaccine enough time to eliminate the virus. Even if you get the vaccination done in the initial months of pregnancy you don’t need to get frightened and for a reassurance you can get an ultrasound done in the 18th month.

When does it harm the baby?

The probability of this infection reaching your baby depends on the time when you got infected with this. If you get infected during the initial months of pregnancy, probably the first one, then there are 50 percent chances that this disease would reach to your child. Therefore if you aren’t immune try to avoid getting in contact with people suffering from this disease.