German measles

noun

Pathology.

1. rubella.

German measles

noun

1. (functioning as singular) a nontechnical name for rubella

German measles

1. An infectious disease caused by the rubella virus of the genus Rubivirus, characterized by mild fever and skin rash. German measles can cause congenital defects if a woman is exposed during early pregnancy.

2. Also called rubella

German measles

1. An acute and contagious disease, caused by a virus, producing symptoms milder than those usually associated with measles.

German measles can cause severe congenital defects in the developing embryo or fetus of a woman who contracts the disease in her first three months of pregnancy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of German measles¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Rubella, also known as German measles because German scientists classified it in the 19th century, is a moderate illness for most patients, identified by a spotty and often itchy red rash.

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But he was removed from the mission a few days before launch after being exposed to German measles.

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Numerous other diseases, including Japanese encephalitis, German measles, Marburg virus and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome have been named after geographic regions, which could now be considered prejudicial.

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And in 1970, an astronaut was yanked from Apollo 13 shortly before launch after being exposed to German measles.

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“It’s why we no longer worry about women getting German measles or rubella and having deformed babies,” said Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of the division of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts.

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