German Measles Symptoms, Treatments and More
- 1. 'Rubella.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 31 Mar. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rubella/symptoms-causes/syc-20377310.
- 2. 'Rubella' (German Measles). National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, 13 July 2020, www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/rubella/.
- 3. 'Rubella.' Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 18 Mar. 2021, www.britannica.com/science/rubella.
- 4. 'Rubella (German Measles).' Rubella (German Measles) | Michigan Medicine, www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw181833.
1. What is German Measles?
Rubella is a contagious viral infection that was eradicated from the U.S. in 2004 with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. It speeds through tiny droplets in the breath of infected individuals when they talk, sneeze, cough or share foods and drinks. German measles has mild symptoms, but it can cause birth injuries if transferred through the womb from mother to child.
The last outbreak of rubella occurred from 1964 to 1965. During the epidemic, 12.5 million Americans contracted it, 11,000 pregnant women lost their babies, 2,100 newborns died and 20,000 infants were born with congenital rubella syndrome.2‘Rubella’ (German Measles). National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, 13 July 2020, www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/rubella/.
