Rubella, also called German measles, is a virus that causes few problems in adults, but may cause congenital defects in the fetus.
Most people are immune to the disease simply because they had it as a child, but if you are unsure, it is important for your doctor to know whether you have rubella antibodies in your bloodstream.
The rubella screen is a simple blood test. Blood is drawn and sent to the laboratory to be screened for a rubella titer. This will detect whether antibodies to rubella are in your bloodstream.
The results of screening tests that detect antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. are usually reported in titers. A titer measures the amount the blood sample can be diluted with saline solution before the antibodies can no longer be identified. A titer of 1:10 means that the solution contains one part blood and ten parts saline. A titer of 1:100 indicates that more antibodies are present in the bloodstream, and the sample needs more dilution before the antibodies are no longer detected.
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About eight five percent (8.5 in 10) of people are already immune to rubella by age twenty, and almost everyone is immune by age thirty. Your medical records should indicate whether you have had rubella. If you are unsure you will be tested.
If you were previously vaccinated against rubella talk to your doctor about getting tested again. The vaccination loses its effectiveness with time, and your doctor will be able to advise you whether you are still immune.
There are few, if any, risks associated with this test.
If you are planning to have a baby and you are unsure whether you have had rubella you should be tested before conceiving. Rubella is a live virus vaccine, so if you need to be vaccinated you should wait at least three months before trying to conceive.
The laboratory results will indicate whether there are antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. to rubella present in your bloodstream.
If the laboratory results show that you are not immune to the rubella virus you will be vaccinated. You should then wait at least three months before conceiving. Alternatively you can be exposed to the virus so that your body builds antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. naturally. A second test will be administered to confirm that you were infected.
If you are already pregnant the decision becomes more difficult. According to the stage of pregnancy, your doctor may suggest that you and your partner consider a therapeutic abortion. It may also be possible to administer antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. in a gamma globulinA protein based antibody made from pooled human plasma. Gamma globulin can be used to immunize many conditions including measles, poliomyelitis, chickenpox, serum hepatitis (following transfusion), hepatitis A, agammaglobulinemia, and hpogammaglobulinemia.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. to protect the fetus. You should discuss this option with your doctor. After your baby is delivered you will be vaccinated against the virus to prevent future infection.
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