Rubella Virus - IgG

Rubella virus IgG, also known as a 3-day measles test, is done to determine the presence of rubella antibodies and detect a recent or past rubella infection. Rubella is a viral infection caused by the rubella virus and can spread very easily through close contact and even air. Our immune system produces two kinds of antibodies (IgG and IgM) in response to the antigens of the Rubella Virus. Rubella IgG is an antibody that stays for a lifetime in the blood.

The doctor may prescribe this test if you show symptoms like red or pink rashes, mild fever, muscle pain, and aching joints. If the infection occurs in the first three months of pregnancy, the fetus might get affected & can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

Rubella test detects the presence of antibodies produced by the body’s immune system against the rubella virus. The infection is confirmed by the laboratory test. Rubella virus causes an infection in the body in which there are fever and rash for 2-3 days. This infection can easily spread to another person (contagious) but can be prevented with a vaccine. 

The infection starts with a red rash which appears on the face and neck which spreads to the trunk and limbs which disappears after a few days. The virus gets spread if a healthy person comes in contact with an infected person via coughing or sneezing. Other symptoms which are seen in the rubella virus infection apart from fever and rash include enlarged lymph nodes, red eyes, runny nose, and pain in joints. The symptoms are very minimal especially in case of small children. In general, these symptoms do not come into notice, as the infection goes away after a few days without any treatment and do not cause any complications. 

In the case of pregnant women, if the infection occurs in the first three months of pregnancy, the fetus might get affected being most vulnerable to the virus during this time. In such cases, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). CRS comprises of serious birth defects that will cause permanent harm to the child such as intellectual and developmental disabilities, cloudiness of the lens of eyes, deafness, an abnormally small head, heart defects, and liver problems.