German Measles is caused by a virus and spreads through the air from the tiny water droplets in a patient's breath.

It is very contagious, though not as contagious as Chickenpox, Measles or Whooping Cough.

Compared to these other airborne infections, German Measles (or Rubella) seems a relatively minor illness.

After a relatively long incubation period (around two or three weeks) the symptoms displayed include a minor rash of tiny pink spot (which do not normally require treatment), a light cold and some swelling in the neck and base of skull from enlarged lymph glands.

Fortunately, an attack of German Measles can be a relatively minor one. Indeed, sometimes the symptoms can be so limited that those catching it just think they have a bad cold.

Despite this, German Measles is a very serious illness for mums-to-be as it puts unborn children at particular risk. Damage to unborn children by German measles can be so great that an abortion is sometimes recommended.

Because of this, all girls should be vaccinated against German Measles to prevent a problematic pregnancy later in life.

The MMR vaccine, which is offered to all children in the UK, is one way of protecting girls from the disease.