Sometimes this disease is called German Measles because it was identified by German doctors. Or Three Day Measles because that's how long it usually lasts. Although Rubella shares similar symptoms the cause is a different virus. The Rubella virus causes a red rash, headache and fever, most people used to think of Rubella as a normal part of childhood, and no more than a nuisance illness. It is now known to cause serious consequences to the baby if the mother catches Rubella in the first half of pregnancy. Widespread vaccination has dropped its incidence significantly. Even the usual vaccine puts Measles and Rubella together, along with Mumps (MMR) and sometimes also Chicken Pox (varicella) (MMRV vaccine).
