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This article is from the Childhood Vaccinations FAQ, by Lynn Gazis-Sax lynng@alsirat.com with numerous contributions by others.

3c.11 What is rubella, and what are the risks of the disease?

Rubella is a mild illness, consisting of a mild fever and rash. Rare
complications include ear infections and encephalitis, but the real
danger is to pregnant women. During the last rubella epidemic, in
1964, 20,000 children were born with birth defects caused by
rubella. Birth defects include deafness, cataracts, microcephaly, and
mental retardation. Children born with congenital rubella are als
susceptible to rubella panencephalitis in their early teens.

 

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children, child, kid, childhood, vaccinations, injury, immunity, vaccine