Rubella, IgM antibodies

Why this test?

To confirm the presence of immunity to the rubella virus.

To detect current or past infections.

To identify those who have never been exposed to the virus and those who have not been vaccinated.

To ensure that pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant have a sufficient amount (titer) of antibodies against rubella to protect against infection.

In what cases is it prescribed?

If a check of immunity against rubella is necessary.

When a pregnant woman has a fever and a rash and/or other symptoms characteristic of rubella. Since many diseases can cause similar symptoms, the doctor should prescribe those studies that will help confirm this particular diagnosis.

If the baby has congenital malformations (hearing loss, cardiovascular disorders, cataracts, diseases of the central nervous system) that may be associated with SVC, or if his mother was diagnosed with rubella during pregnancy.

Because IgM antibodies to rubella take some time to develop after infection, tests may be ordered again in 2-3 weeks to see if antibodies are detected (if they were absent initially) or to assess whether their levels rise or fall over time.

Test information

This analysis allows you to detect rubella antibodies in the blood. They are produced in response to virus infection. There are two types of antibodies: IgM and IgG. First of all, IgM appears after infection. The level of this protein in the blood gradually increases and reaches its peak 7-10 days after infection, then it decreases in the next few weeks. An exception is infected newborns, in whom IgM antibodies can be detected for several more months, sometimes a year.

The presence of IgM antibodies may indicate an acute infection.

The rubella virus is usually mild and is accompanied by a small red rash that appears on the face and neck, then moves down the trunk and limbs before disappearing after a few days.

Rubella is spread through the air and can have symptoms such as fever, enlarged lymph nodes, runny nose, red eyes, and joint pain.

Moreover, these symptoms can be so insignificant, especially in children, that they are not perceived as a viral disease. In most patients, rubella passes within a few days without any treatment and does not cause further health problems. The main danger is the contact of a pregnant woman with the rubella virus for the first time during the first trimester of pregnancy - the developing fetus is most vulnerable to rubella at this time. If the virus is transmitted from the mother to the fetus, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and/or the development of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) - a group of serious developmental defects that can cause developmental delay, mental retardation, deafness, cataracts, microcephaly, problems with liver and heart defects.