Rubella (german measles) is a viral infection that’s now rare in the UK. It’s usually a mild condition that gets better without treatment in 7 to 10 days.
Rubella usually only becomes a serious concern if a pregnant woman catches the infection during the first 20 weeks of her pregnancy.
This is because the rubella virus can disrupt the development of the baby and cause a wide range of health problems, including:
- Eye problems – such as cataracts (cloudy patches on the lens of the eye)
- Deafness
- Heart abnormalities
- Brain damage
Rubella is caused by a type of virus called a togavirus. It’s spread in a similar way to a cold or flu, through droplets of moisture from the nose or throat of someone who’s infected. These droplets are released into the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks.
in London
