Final answer:
Rubella, or German Measles, is characterized by rash, low-grade fever, and respiratory symptoms, and is particularly dangerous during pregnancy due to the risk of congenital defects. Vaccination before pregnancy is crucial, as rubella is teratogenic. Rubella has been nearly eliminated in the U.S. through vaccination efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rubella, also known as German Measles, is a viral disease that presents symptoms such as a facial rash spreading to the extremities, followed by low-grade fever, headache, conjunctivitis, cough, runny nose, and swollen lymph nodes. An important intervention to remember is that vaccination during pregnancy is not recommended because the rubella virus is teratogenic and can cause congenital defects, especially if infection occurs early in the pregnancy. Instead, women should ensure they are vaccinated before becoming pregnant. It's important to note that postnatal rubella infections are usually self-limiting and vaccination efforts have made the condition rare in the United States, with fewer than a dozen cases reported annually.