Rubella (German Measles) is an acute viral  infection commonly affecting  younger children. But, adults are not exempted from this viral infection. Virus transmission takes place directly from person to person through droplets from nose and throat. The person or child  who got infected shows symptoms after one week. 

Symptoms

Red/brown rashes (some times in pink colour) appears on the face and behind the ears and spread around head and neck. Later, rashes appears on the legs and other parts of the  body. Swollen glands, which are painful, appear especially behind ears and neck.

In addition  to the above symptoms, mild temperature is usually common in children. In  case of  adults, elevation in temperature can be observed. Running nose, tearing (watery eyes), sore throat, and cough are also common in adults.

If a pregnant woman contracts German Measles during her first few months of pregnancy, the chances of the Foetus development getting  affected by the virus are more. As the virus can cross the Placenta (through vertical transmission ) and infect the Foetus in uterus and cause congenital defects including death of the foetus.  The most common  Congenital defects that are caused by the viral infections are deafness, cardiac malformations and cataract. Other defects that are caused are glaucoma, retinopathy, microcephalus, cerebral palsy, intrauterine growth retardation , mental and motor retardation, hepato- splenomegaly.

To prevent children from contracting German Measles, MMR vaccine would be given at the age of 12 to 15 months. This vaccine also gives protection against Measles (Rubeola) and Mumps. 

If a woman is planning her pregnancy and if she has not taken MMR vaccine in her early childhood, she should take Rubella Vaccine to avoid congenital malformations in her foetus.