Does this test have other names? German measles, rubella
antibody test, three-day measles What is this test? This test
measures the amount of rubella antibodies in your blood to see
if you have immunity against the rubella virus. Rubella, also
called the German measles, is a very contagious disease that's
easily spread through coughing, sneezing, and spitting. In young
children, rubella is usually a mild disease with symptoms that
include sore throat and fever. Adults may have pink eye,
headache, and discomfort up to five days before a rash appears.
It's important to know whether you have antibodies against
rubella, especially if you're pregnant or know that you have
been exposed to the virus. Getting rubella when you're pregnant
can be especially dangerous for your fetus. A rubella infection
can cause miscarriage or a stillborn infant. It can also cause
many serious birth defects, which are more likely if the
infection occurs in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. These
include heart defects, mental retardation