Rubella

Abstract

Important events which marked the discovery of the rubella virus and the relative medical advancements are presented. Two hundred years ago various medical papers written by German authors described one such fever-with-rash entity which was most commonly referred to as Rötheln and subsequently became more generally and more popularly known as German measles, precisely because of these geographical and historical antecedents. Of remarkable importance are the findings of Sir Norman McAlister Gregg Sir Norman McAlister Gregg, the Australian ophthalmologist who first showed the teratogenic effects of Rubella in pregnancy. Furthermore, the most significant advances of Weller and Neva are described. It is not always easy even in this day and age to diagnose clinically patients suffering from Rubella. It is to be noted that as the situation stands today the pregnant-to-be multipara is the main target needing priority in protection, as she runs the greatest risk of getting infected from her own children with whom she is in daily close contact.