German measles is typically a mild infection that goes away within one week, even without treatment. However, it can be a serious condition in pregnant women, as it may cause congenital rubella syndrome in the fetus.

A single rubella infection usually offers lifelong immunity for most people. Although unlikely, it is still possible to contract rubella even if you have had a vaccination or a previous rubella infection.

A person with rubella may spread the disease to others up to one week before the rash appears, and remain contagious up to 7 days after.

No treatment will shorten the course of rubella infection, and symptoms don’t usually need to be treated because they’re often mild. However, doctors often recommend isolation from others — especially pregnant women — during the infectious period.

Rubella results in a fine, pink rash that appears on the face, the trunk (shown in image), and then the arms and legs. Rubella is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash. It’s also called German measles or three-day measles.

In rare cases, rubella can cause serious problems, including brain infections and bleeding problems. liver or spleen damage.

Despite being declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, the measles virus has made a comeback. Many people don’t know the measles virus can lead to long-term health effects including brain damage, hearing loss, and immune suppression.

In the skin, the measles virus causes inflammation in the capillaries. This gives rise to the hallmark measles rash. The virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters the brain in around 1 in 1,000 people. This can cause swelling in the brain that may be life-threatening.