Key points
- Most children and adults who get rubella usually have mild illness with a rash starting on the face.
- Up to 70% of women who get rubella may experience arthritis.
- The most serious complication from rubella infection is the harm it can cause a developing baby.
![Child with rubella rash on face.](https://www.cdc.gov/rubella/media/images/Rubella-rash-on-face_GettyImages-1214062216-1200x675-1.jpg)
Signs and symptoms
Rubella is usually mild, with few noticeable symptoms.
In children
For children who do have symptoms, a red rash is typically the first sign. The rash generally first appears on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body, lasting about 3 days.
Other symptoms that may occur 1 to 5 days before the rash appears include:
- Low-grade fever
- Headache
- Mild pink eye (redness or swelling of the white of the eye)
- General discomfort
- Swollen and enlarged lymph nodes
- Cough
- Runny nose
In adults
Most adults who get rubella usually have a mild illness, with:
- Low-grade fever
- Sore throat
- A rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body
Some adults may also have a headache, pink eye, and general discomfort before the rash appears.
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Complications
Up to 70% of women who get rubella may experience arthritis. This is rare in children and men.
In rare cases, rubella can cause serious problems, including brain infections and bleeding problems.
![Adult clutching arm.](/rubella/images/complications-arthritis.jpg)
In pregnant people and newborns
The most serious complication from rubella infection is the harm it can cause a developing baby. This can happen in the womb and after birth.
If an unvaccinated person gets infected with rubella during pregnancy they can have a miscarriage; or the baby can die just after birth. They can pass the virus to the developing baby who can develop serious birth defects, such as:
- Heart problems
- Loss of hearing and eyesight
- Intellectual disability
- Liver or spleen damage
Serious birth defects are more common if a woman is infected early in her pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. These severe birth defects are known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).