Complications of rubella are not common, but they
generally occur more often in adults than in children.
Arthralgia or arthritis may occur in up to 70% of adult
women who contract rubella, but it is rare in children and
adult males. Fingers, wrists, and knees are often affected.
Joint symptoms tend to occur about the same time or
shortly after appearance of the rash and may last for up to 1
month; chronic arthritis is rare.
Encephalitis occurs in one in 6,000 cases, more frequently
in adults (especially in females) than in children. Mortality
estimates vary from 0 to 50%.
Hemorrhagic manifestations occur in approximately one per
3,000 cases, occurring more often in children than in adults.
These manifestations may be secondary to low platelets and
vascular damage, with thrombocytopenic purpura being the
most common manifestation. Gastrointestinal, cerebral, or
intrarenal hemorrhage may occur. Effects may last from days
to months, and most patients recover.
Additional complications include orchitis, neuritis, and a
rare late syndrome of progressive panencephalitis.