[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Microbiology](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/) › [Respiratory RNA viruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/respiratory-rna-viruses/) › Rubella virus

[Microbiology](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/) · [Respiratory RNA viruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/respiratory-rna-viruses/)

# Rubella virus

- Virus
- Enveloped
- Droplet
- Exam priority: medium

A virus that causes a mild rash in children but, in the first trimester of pregnancy, can badly harm the baby.

Updated 2026-11-01

Also called: German measles

## Key points

- Enveloped positive-sense matonavirus (formerly togavirus)
- Postauricular nodes and a three-day rash
- Congenital rubella: deafness, cataract and patent ductus arteriosus
- Highest fetal risk in the first trimester
- Droplet precautions; contact for the congenital form

## At a glance

**Shape**
Spherical

**Genome**
Single-stranded, positive-sense RNA

**Envelope**
Enveloped

**Family**
Matonaviridae, genus Rubivirus

**Size**
About 50 to 70 nm

## Morphology

- Enveloped virus with glycoproteins E1 and E2
- Formerly classified in the family Togaviridae
- A single serotype

## Transmission

- Respiratory droplets
- Transplacental, with the highest risk in the first trimester
- Newborns with congenital rubella shed virus for months

**Reservoir:** Humans only

### Isolation precautions

What the care team adds to standard precautions.

**Droplet**
Surgical mask within about a metre; single room.

## Virulence factors

- In the fetus it slows cell division and damages vessels, causing multiple malformations
- Persistent fetal infection during pregnancy and after birth

## Diseases it causes

- Postnatal rubella, mild, with postauricular lymph nodes [Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rubella-and-congenital-rubella-syndrome/)
- Congenital rubella syndrome
- Congenital cataract in congenital rubella syndrome [Cataract →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cataract/)
- Patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary artery stenosis [Patent ductus arteriosus →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/patent-ductus-arteriosus/)

## Clinical picture

- Maculopapular rash that starts on the face and lasts about three days
- Postauricular, suboccipital and cervical lymph nodes
- Low fever; arthralgia, especially in adult women
- Congenital rubella syndrome: sensorineural deafness, cataract, heart disease (patent ductus arteriosus), developmental delay, "blueberry muffin" purpura

## Diagnosis

- Specific serum IgM
- RT-PCR on a throat swab, urine or, in newborns, other samples
- IgG avidity to date infection in a pregnant woman

## Treatment

There is no antiviral: care is supportive. A child with congenital rubella needs follow-up of hearing, vision, heart and development.

Drug class only; doses and regimens are set by the clinician from the current guideline.

## Prevention

- MMR vaccine (or MR in adults)
- Check immunity before pregnancy and vaccinate susceptible women of childbearing age (not during pregnancy)
- Droplet precautions; contact precautions for newborns with congenital rubella

**Vaccine:** Part of the live attenuated MMR vaccine in Colombia's PAI; contraindicated in pregnancy.

## In Colombia

Colombia is certified free of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome; the Americas were the first region in the world declared free of endemic rubella, in 2015. Every suspected case is immediately notifiable to SIVIGILA.

## Memory aid

Congenital rubella = "can't see, can't hear, heart won't close": cataract, deafness and an open ductus.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is the classic triad of congenital rubella syndrome?

Sensorineural deafness, cataract and congenital heart disease, above all patent ductus arteriosus.

## Which lymph nodes are typical of rubella?

Postauricular, suboccipital and posterior cervical nodes.

## When in pregnancy is the risk of fetal damage from rubella highest?

In the first trimester.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/microbiology/rubella-virus/)

## Related

- [Measles virus](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/measles-virus/)
- [Mumps virus](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/mumps-virus/)
- [Zika virus](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/zika-virus/)

## Related conditions

- [Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rubella-and-congenital-rubella-syndrome/)
- [Cataract](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cataract/)
- [Patent ductus arteriosus](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/patent-ductus-arteriosus/)

## What the colours mean

**Gram-positive**
Thick peptidoglycan wall: stains purple.

**Gram-negative**
Thin wall with an outer membrane: stains pink.

**Acid-fast**
Lipid-rich wall (mycobacteria): Ziehl–Neelsen stain.

**Contact**
Gown and gloves; dedicated equipment. For C. difficile, soap-and-water hand washing.

**Droplet**
Surgical mask within about a metre; single room.

**Airborne**
N95 respirator and a negative-pressure room.

[← Back to the group: Respiratory RNA viruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/respiratory-rna-viruses/)

Educational content on microorganisms; not a treatment guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Rubella](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rubella) (World Health Organization (WHO), 2025); [Appendix A: Type and Duration of Precautions Recommended for Selected Infections and Conditions](https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/isolation-precautions/appendix-a-type-duration.html) (CDC, 2024).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/rubella-virus/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/rubella-virus/