Is Rubella Fatal. Lymph nodes are not always swollen: Up to 80% of infants born to mothers who had rubella during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy develop congenital rubella syndrome.
In some cases of congenital rubella, progressive neurologic illness can develop in the second decade, characterized by spasticity, ataxia, intellectual deterioration and seizures. 30% of children affected with congenital rubella syndrome die. Rubella is a viral respiratory disease that's relatively mild and somewhat contagious.