A Rubella IgG Immunity Test is a blood test used to determine if an individual has immunity to Rubella, also known as German measles. The test measures the levels of IgG antibodies in the blood, which are produced by the immune system in response to infection with the Rubella virus.
Rubella is a contagious viral infection that can cause serious complications in pregnant women and their unborn babies. Before the introduction of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine in the 1960s, rubella was a common infection that could cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects. The vaccine has greatly reduced the incidence of rubella, but it is still important to ensure that individuals are immune to the virus.
An individual should be tested if they are pregnant to ensure that they have immunity and will not develop Rubella whilst pregnant, if they were not vaccinated as a child to determine whether they have immunity and may need a booster shot, if they only received one dose of the MMR vaccine to confirm immunity and may need to receive a second dose, or if an individual is planning on travelling to areas where rubella is common to ensure they are immune and will not contract it whilst there.
The test is usually performed by drawing a blood sample from the individual's arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory tests for the presence of IgG antibodies against the Rubella virus. If the individual has been infected with rubella in the past, they will have IgG antibodies present in their blood.
The results of the test will be either: positive, negative or inconclusive.
If an individual tests positive for Rubella IgG immunity, they are likely protected against future infection with rubella. If an individual tests negative for Rubella IgG immunity, they may need to receive one or two doses of the MMR vaccine to ensure they have immunity against rubella. If an individual tests inconclusive, further testing is required.
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