What can be done to prevent the infection?

The rubella vaccine is very effective at preventing this infection. In children, the vaccine is usually combined with the measles and mumps vaccine and given as one shot, which is called the MMR vaccine. Women of childbearing age who are not pregnant should make sure they have received this vaccine. Possible side effects of the MMR vaccine include:

Other side effects are rare. The vaccine should not be given to pregnant women or to women who are planning on getting pregnant in the 3 months after the shot.

Isolating an infected person can also help prevent spread of this infection. An infected person should stay home from school or work for 7 days after the rash appears. Infants exposed to the virus prior to their birth may be contagious for more than a year after birth. Special care should be taken to keep them away from people who haven't received the vaccine.

What are the long-term effects of the infection?

The main concern with rubella is its impact on a pregnant woman and her unborn child. If a woman is affected in the first three months of pregnancy, the chances that the baby will develop problems can be very high. Infections in a fetus may result in blindness, deafness, heart defects and mental retardation. Any pregnant woman who has not received the rubella vaccine and is exposed to the virus should consult with her healthcare provider.

Most others with this infection recover fully and have no long-term effects.

What are the risks to others?

Rubella can be spread to other people. A woman also can pass the virus to her fetus during pregnancy.