Rubella (German Measles): Treatment Overview

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Treatment Overview

Treatment for rubella focuses on caring for the specific symptoms, such as getting plenty of rest and drinking extra fluids so you do not get dehydrated. Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, can be given to children and adults for fever. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the possible link between aspirin and Reye syndrome.

A baby (fetus) can get infected from a mother who has rubella during her pregnancy. Babies infected in the first trimester may also develop birth defects. Treatment varies according to the specific problem.

Pregnant women or those considering pregnancy

Women considering pregnancy who are unsure of their immunity to rubella may be vaccinated safely up to 1 month before becoming pregnant.

If you are pregnant and susceptible (not immune) to rubella, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend an injection of immune globulin (IG) if you have been exposed to the virus. Immune globulin does not prevent rubella infection, but it may reduce the severity of the symptoms and lower the risk for birth defects. But immune globulin does not get rid of the risk of a child being born with a birth defect due to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Children with CRS have been born to mothers who have received immune globulin.

If you are pregnant and have been infected with the rubella virus in the first months of your pregnancy, you may want to seek counseling about the risk that the baby will be born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and what options are available to you.

Last updated:	September 11, 2008
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC