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Definition

noun

A contagious disease caused by the rubella virus of the genus Rubivirus that produces rash and fever, and spreads via direct contact with the infected individual's nose or throat secretions, or via exposure to cough or sneeze

Supplement

Rubella is a milder disease than the "ordinary" measles (rubeola). The course of the disease usually takes three days only and the symptoms are generally less severe than rubeola. Although the symptoms are mild, a complicated rubella can lead to pneumonia or encephalitis in children, and serious birth defects to the unborn child of an infected pregnant mother.

Synonym(s):

• German measles
• Three-day measles

Compare:

• Rubeola

See also:

• measles