German Measles (Rubella)

Symptoms of German measles can include any of the following:

• Slight fever sometimes accompanied by a runny nose.
• Swollen glands behind the ears and around the neck
• Loss of appetite
• Sore throat
• Rash that starts on the face and then spreads to the body. This rash usually lasts for about 3 days and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches about 2-4mm, and doesn’t itch.

No other symptoms are usually present apart from occasional aching joints.

It is infectious from two days before the rash appears, until the rash disappears in about four or five days from that date.

The only danger is to unborn babies and, therefore, it is important that all contacts are informed in order that anyone who may be pregnant may contact their doctor.