Rubella is often referred to as German measles, but in reality, the word "German" in the name of this disease has nothing to do with the country. In all likelihood, the name comes from the Latin term "germanus", which means "similar." Rubella and measles (rubeola) have some similar characteristics, each is caused by a different virus.

While rubella and measles are both contagious viral infections characterized by the distinctive red rash that may appear on the skin, rubella is neither as infectious nor usually as severe as measles. For this reason rubella is also known as three-day measles. There is one important exception: If rubella is contracted by a pregnant woman, especially during her first trimester, the virus can be fatal or serious birth defects in the developing fetus can occur.

Most children in the united States receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before they reach school age. Dawbarns Law Firm of England published a paper on the side effects following the MMR and MR vaccines, which include 202 cases of autism, 97 of epilepsy, 40 with hearing and vision problems, and 41 with 100 behavioral and learning problems.

Many times, the signs and symptoms of rubella are so mild that a person may not even know they have the disease. This is especially true in children. In cases where signs and symptoms do occur, they generally appear between two and three weeks after exposure to the virus and typically last a few days. These signs & symptoms may include:

- Mild fever

- Headache

- Stuffy or runny nose

- Inflamed, red eyes

- Enlarged, tender lymph nodes at the base of the skull

- A fine, pink rash that begins on the face and quickly spreads to the trunk and then the arms and legs, before disappearing in the same sequence

- Aching joints (especially in young women)

Rubella is caused by a virus that's passed from person to person. The virus can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by direct contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions, such as mucus. A pregnant woman can transmit rubella to her unborn child as well. The "contagious period" for a person with rubella is one week before the onset of the rash until about one to two weeks after the rash disappears.

In many parts of the world the disease is common but more than half of all countries now use a rubella vaccine.

The regimen outlined below includes a holistic approach to treating rubella:

Drink lots of fluids.

Avoid processed foods.

Get plenty of rest.

An infected person should not attend daycare, school or work and SHOULD NOT be in contact with pregnant women for seven days after the rash first appears. If you are pregnant and become exposed to rubella, see a professional health care practitioner immediately. Adults who develop measles usually suffer more series cases than children experience.

Supplementing with the following may also be very helpful. The dosages below are for adults. For children between the ages of twelve and seventeen, lower the dose to three-quarters of the recommended dose. For children between the ages of six and twelve, use one-half the recommended dose and for children under the age of six, use one-quarter of the recommended dose.

Calcium and Magnesium (take as directed on label) - Needed for tissue repair.

Essential Fatty Acids (take as directed on label) - Helps prevent scarring and heals tissue cells.

Garlic (2 capsules 3 times daily with meals) - Improves immune function.

Proteolytic Enzymes (take as directed on label on an empty stomach) - Reduces infection and aids digestion.

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (5,000 - 20,000 mg daily in divided doses) - has antiviral properties. Important for immune function, controls fever and aids healing.

Zinc (1 15 mg lozenge 3 times daily for 4 days. Then reduce to 1 lozenge per day)- Beneficial for immune response and tissue repair.

Clove and Peppermint Tea - Help reduce symptoms.

Lobelia Extract (take ½ teaspoon every 4-5 hours nut not on an ongoing basis) - Soothes and nourishes the nervous system and aids in pain relief.

Maitake, Reishi and Shiitake mushrooms - Effective in boosting the immune system.

Spirulina - Boosts immunity and can help stop the virus from replicating.

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