Patient Preparation: No special preparation is required

Description:

• A rubella IgM test can help confirm a suspected case of rubella infection or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The test detects the presence of IgM antibodies to the rubella virus in the blood: 

 When to test

• IgM antibodies are usually detectable 4 to 30 days after the onset of a rubella rash, or up to six months after birth in CRS cases. 

 What it means

• The presence of IgM antibodies usually indicates an acute infection, but it may also be unspecific or persistent. 

• Other tests
• Other tests that can help diagnose rubella include IgG antibody tests, which can help distinguish between recent infections and immunity due to past infection. 

• Vaccination
• A person may also be rubella IgM positive after recent vaccination. 

• Rubella can be prevented through vaccination, such as the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.