How Do You Recognize And Prevent Rubella (German Measles)?
• Know what to look for • Mild fever. • A rash that starts on the face and neck, in time progressing from head to foot. • Teenagers and adults with rubella may experience swollen glands in the back of the neck and arthritis-like symptoms in the joints. • Understand that the largest risk is for expectant mothers . If a mother-to-be contracts rubella in the early months of her pregnancy, there is an astounding 80% chance that her child will be born with a damaged heart or small brain, deaf or blind, cataracts, liver and spleen damage, or mental retardation. Miscarriages are also common. Know that the MMR vaccine can prevent rubella. Children and adults who have not previously received the MMR or MMRV (prevents measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) vaccine, or who have not been tested negative for the viruses, should be vaccinated.
