Final answer:
Rubella is also known as German measles and is a milder viral disease than measles. Rubella can lead to congenital issues during pregnancy but is preventable through vaccination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a viral disease characterized by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the extremities. It's a milder condition compared to measles, or rubeola and is unrelated despite the similar names. Rubella is caused by an enveloped RNA virus present in the respiratory tract and is spread through aerosols from coughing or sneezing. Notably, rubella can lead to congenital rubella syndrome during pregnancy, which may result in a spectrum of significant birth defects if a woman contracts the virus early in pregnancy. Vaccination, such as the MMR vaccine, has been highly effective in controlling rubella.