If you are expecting a baby, or are already pregnant, you must have heard of the "Rubella Test" among the tests your doctor asks you to do. Some people get a little nervous when they hear this name. Questions like "Rubella? What is it? Do I have it?" come to mind. But there is no reason to be afraid. This is often done to find out about the immunity that protects you and your unborn baby. Today, we will talk about this
Rubella test
in a very simple way.
Simply put, what is Rubella?
Rubella is a disease caused by a virus. It is also known as "German measles" or "three-day measles" among our people. Most people only get a low-grade fever and a small pink rash on their body. It heals in a few days. Therefore, for the average person, Rubella is not that serious.
The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine), which is given to most children at a young age, protects against this disease.
However, if you are pregnant, the story is completely different. Rubella can have very serious effects on the unborn child, especially if the mother is infected with it during the first 4 months of pregnancy . It can damage organs such as the baby's eyes, ears, and heart , or cause premature birth. That's why we're so concerned about rubella during pregnancy.
So who wants to take this test?
Rubella testing is not usually done for everyone. However, doctors recommend it in certain cases. See the table below for who should get it.
| Those who recommend the test | The reason for that |
|---|
| Women who are expecting a baby or are currently pregnant | Make sure you are immune to rubella and protect your unborn baby. |
| Newborns whose mothers are suspected of having contracted Rubella during pregnancy | Find out if the child is also infected with the virus . |
| Babies with birth defects thought to be caused by rubella | Confirm whether Rubella is the cause of the birth defect. |
| Anyone showing symptoms of Rubella (fever, rash) | To correctly diagnose the disease. |
| Healthcare workers and university students | To ensure they have immunity and prevent them from spreading the disease to others. |
How is this test done and what does it look for?
It's very simple. A small syringe is used to take
a blood sample from a vein in your arm. You may feel a slight stinging sensation when the needle is inserted, but it only lasts for a few seconds. The blood sample is then sent to a lab. The lab mainly looks for
antibodies in your blood that have been produced against the Rubella virus. Simply put, antibodies are special proteins that our immune system makes to fight disease-causing germs. They're like soldiers in our bodies. Doctors pay special attention to two types of antibodies.
Two types of antibodies: IgM and IgG
Although these two names are a bit scientific, it's very easy to understand the difference between them. Think of them as two special police teams that go to work when our bodies get an infection.
| Antibody type | What does that say? |
|---|
| IgM (Immunoglobulin M) | This is the "early-acting group." These IgM antibodies are the first to appear in the blood after a rubella infection. This means that if you have IgM in your blood, it indicates that you have recently had a rubella infection. These antibodies disappear from the blood within a few weeks. |
| IgG (Immunoglobulin G) | This is the "long-term protective group" . These IgG antibodies are produced after an infection and recovery, or after receiving a vaccine. They are present in the blood throughout life. This means that if you have IgG in your blood, it indicates that you are immune to Rubella and will not get the disease again. |
How to understand the test report?
Your report may show both IgM and IgG values. Let's see what that means.
IgM Result
- Positive: This means that you may have recently been infected with Rubella. However, sometimes this can be a "false-positive" result due to another virus. So your doctor may need to do more tests to confirm this.
- Negative: This usually means you have not had a recent infection.
IgG Result
This is often the most important thing for a pregnant mother.
- Positive - Value 1.0 or higher: This is good news! It means that you have enough IgG antibodies in your body to fight against Rubella. You are immune . So you will not get Rubella again, and your baby will not be at risk.
- Negative - A value of 0.7 or less: This means you have no immunity to Rubella. This means you are at risk of developing the disease. If you are pregnant, you should take precautions, such as staying away from people with Rubella. If you are planning to have a baby, your doctor may recommend that you get the MMR vaccine before you get pregnant.
- Equivocal / Borderline (indeterminate) - A value of 0.8 or 0.9: This means that the result is inconclusive. It is possible that you have recently received the vaccine and are developing antibodies. In this case, your doctor may ask you to retest in a few weeks.
If a newborn baby's IgM result is positive, it means that the baby was infected in the womb or at birth. This is because IgM antibodies do not pass from mother to baby. However, IgG antibodies pass from mother to baby and protect the baby for several months after birth.
Take-Home Message
- Rubella (German measles) is a minor illness for the average person, but it can be very dangerous for an unborn baby during the early months of pregnancy.
- The rubella blood test mainly checks whether you have immunity (IgG) against the disease, or whether you have had a recent infection (IgM).
- If you are expecting a baby or are already pregnant, it is extremely important to know your Rubella status.
- IgG Positive means you are safe. IgG Negative means you are not immune, so you need to be careful.
- Never try to interpret your test results yourself. Always discuss the results with your doctor and be fully informed about the implications for you and your baby.
Rubella test Sinhala, Rubella test, pregnancy and Rubella, German measles, Rubella immunity, IgG test Sinhala, IgM test Sinhala
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න