Syphilis
Rubella or German measles (also called the three-day measles) is a milder form of the standard measles virus. If a pregnant woman is not immune to rubella and becomes infected with the virus during the first half of her pregnancy, the virus is capable of causing abnormalities in her baby. This is explained in depth in
rubella during pregnancy.
One of the standard routine blood tests taken during early pregnancy, either before or at the time of the
first pregnancy visit is a rubella titre, which aims to check the level of immunity to the rubella virus. Most adults have good immunity to rubella, either naturally through experiencing the virus as a child or by being previously vaccinated. However, being vaccinated against rubella (or even experiencing the rubella virus) does not always guarantee immunity for life and a person may
NOT be immune if:
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Their previous immunity has diminished over time. This means you may have been immune as a teenager or for an earlier pregnancy, but not immune as an adult or for a subsequent pregnancy. This is why women need a rubella titre done for each new pregnancy. |
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Their body does not respond to create adequate rubella immunity after a rubella infection or vaccination. The immune reaction may be insufficient or the person remains non-immune, even after experiencing rubella or being vaccinated against it. |
The test results of a rubella titre come back as being immune or non-immune, which is written on your pregnancy records. The test result may also quote a level or titre of immunity, with
LESS than 10 IU/ml considered non-immune,
EQUAL to 10 IU/ml being borderline immunity and levels of 10 to 20 IU/ml regarded as being immune to rubella. As a general rule, women with a rubella titre of less than 20 IU/ml are offered a rubella vaccination after the birth of their baby.