Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

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Rubella

Rubella, or German measles, is a mild infectious disease with an incubation period of 14-21 days. Patients can infect other people from one week before the onset of rash until four days afterwards. Maternal rubella infection in the first eight to ten weeks of pregnancy results in foetal damage in up to 90% of infants. Multiple defects are common, and are collectively known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome. A vaccine against rubella exists and is given as part of the triple MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

Key documents for health professionals

Screening for infectious diseases in pregnancy: Standards to support the UK antenatal screening programme

Published: 11/08/2003

These generic and disease-specific standards cover screening for rubella antibody, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B, the four infections currently included in the UK antenatal-screening programme.

Green book

The Green Book is the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's guide to immunisation against infectious disease, including rubella.

Additional links

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advises UK health ministers on communicable diseases that can be prevented by immunisation.

Health Protection Agency

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