What does rubella mean?
Rubella is a contagious viral infection, commonly called German measles, that often produces a mild fever and a reddish rash. It is caused by the rubella virus and is generally much milder than measles. The disease became especially important because infection during early pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome, which may include hearing loss, eye problems, heart defects, and developmental disabilities. Routine childhood vaccination and screening of pregnant patients have greatly reduced its prevalence in many countries. In everyday use, rubella usually refers to the illness itself, while expressions such as rubella virus and congenital rubella syndrome specify the virus or its effects on a fetus. The name reflects the reddish appearance of the rash and comes from a Latin root meaning red.
nounRubella, also called German measles, is a mild viral infection characterized by fever and a reddish rash. Infection during pregnancy can cause serious complications, including congenital rubella syndrome and miscarriage.
- The infectious disease caused by the rubella virus, also known as German measles.
"Routine vaccination has greatly reduced the incidence of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome."
"The pediatrician diagnosed the child with rubella after examining the rash and reviewing the test results."
"Public-health officials urged pregnant patients to verify their immunity to rubella."
The plural is rarely needed in ordinary writing but is grammatically possible when referring to separate cases of the disease.
"The clinic reported several rubellas in the surrounding district."
Rubella is usually mild, but its danger lies in how a seemingly harmless infection can affect a developing fetus during pregnancy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of rubella
The word rubella comes through New Latin from Latin rubella, a feminine form meaning reddish. It ultimately derives from ruber, the Latin adjective for red, referring to the characteristic color of the rash. The English medical term rubella was adopted in the 19th century, and the alternative name German measles arose in the context of European medical terminology.
How rubella is actually used
In medical and public-health contexts, rubella is used primarily to refer to the viral disease. The term is also widely used in compound forms such as rubella virus, rubella vaccine, and congenital rubella syndrome.
Easily confused with rubella
Rubeola is an old term for measles, whereas rubella is a different viral disease historically called German measles.