German measles

a highly infectious viral disease, occurring mainly in childhood, which is mild in effect. Spread occurs through close contact with infected individuals, and there is an incubation period of two to three weeks. Symptoms include headache, shivering, sore throat and a slight fever. There is some swelling of the neck, and soon after the onset a rash of pink spots appears, initially on the face and/or neck and subsequently spreading over the body. The rash disappears in roughly one week, but the condition remains infectious for three or four more days. IMMUNITY is usually conferred by the infection, and although it is a mild disease it is important because an attack during the early stages of PREGNANCY may cause foetal abnormalities. Girls are therefore immunized around the age of 12