Adults can also get rubella - it is particularly dangerous during pregnancy. The viral disease is usually harmless, but contrary to popular belief, it can also affect adults.
Rubella occurs mainly from late winter to early summer and is transmitted by the parvovirus B19. The infection occurs from person to person through droplet infection when sneezing, coughing or speaking. It can take one to two weeks from infection to outbreak of the disease. This usually results in the characteristic red skin rash, which first appears on the face and then on the arms and legs.