Immunity to Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella is caused by a virus that is passed from person-to-person by coughs or sneezes. Women, who have either had the Rubella infection or have received the vaccination, produce an antibody (protein made in response to a foreign substance introduced into the body) in their blood that will usually prevent them from getting the infection a second time. This antibody also protects the unborn baby against the virus; this protection is called immunity.
Rubella infections during childhood usually cause mild symptoms. However, if a woman becomes infected with Rubella during the first three months of her pregnancy and does not have immunity to the virus, the baby is at risk of having serious birth defects or dying.
All women considering a first time pregnancy, or those who are pregnant for the first time, should be tested to see if they have this immunity. A blood specimen is tested to see if a sufficient amount of antibody is present in the blood to protect the mother and the baby. If a woman does not have enough antibodies, she may be given a Rubella vaccination, which will cause her to produce these protective antibodies.
Related Tests:Rubella
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