Page last updated
11 April 2022
Rubella is highly contagious. It is spread from person to person during coughing or sneezing, or by direct contact with infectious people.
FAQ
Is the rubella virus contagious?
Once infected, it can take around 14-21 days for the rash and joint pain to appear. However, a person is infectious from 7 days before the onset of the rash and until at least 4 days after the rash appears. This means people infected with rubella could be out in the community, passing on the infection before they realise they have it.
Infants with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) pass large quantities of the virus in their urine and faeces for up to a year and can therefore transmit rubella to those at risk, including those who are not immune to rubella or the people caring for them.
Sources & Citations
2. Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth. Rubella (German Measles). Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/german-measles.html (accessed 08 March 2022).
4. Australian Government. Department of Health. The Australian Immunisation Handbook – Rubella. Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/rubella (accessed 08 March 2022).
MAT-AU-2200804 Date of preparation March 2022
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