Symptoms of rubella appear 2 to 3 weeks after exposure to the virus. They usually last 2 or 3 days.

• Fever.
• Headaches.
• A runny nose.
• A sore throat.
• Swollen eyes (conjunctivitis).
• Swollen glands at the base of the neck and behind the ears.
• A rash of small red or pink spots, mainly on the face, behind the ears, and in the neck that may be itchy. These spots gradually spread to the arms, chest and back, reaching the legs and feet.
• Painful joints (especially in adolescents and young women who are infected)

Up to 50% of people infected with the rubella virus have no symptoms.