Rubella IgG and IgM

Planning a pregnancy? Rubella antibody testing quickly shows whether you are protected through vaccination or previous infection. This is important because rubella in early pregnancy can seriously harm the fetus, and the vaccine is given before pregnancy, not during it.

Who is this test for

• women planning pregnancy, particularly if vaccination records are unavailable;
• women in early pregnancy when their gynaecologist wants to know whether they are protected;
• pregnant women who have been in contact with someone with a rash or who have a rash and fever themselves;
• people with a rash, enlarged lymph nodes behind the ears and at the back of the head, and joint pain, when a doctor suspects rubella;
• healthcare workers and people working with children or pregnant women when immunity needs checking.

What the test reveals

Rubella is a viral illness causing a rash. It is usually mild in children and adults, and many people recover without a rash. It is dangerous in pregnancy: infection in the first 12 weeks may cause deafness, cataracts and heart defects in the child. The measles, mumps and rubella (MoPaRu) vaccine provides protection, so the disease is now rare in Croatia.

• IgG shows whether you are protected following vaccination or previous infection. It remains for a long time, usually for life.
• IgM is tested when a recent infection is suspected, for example with a rash in pregnancy.

The test and preparation

A venous blood sample is taken, which takes a few minutes. You do not need to fast or prepare specially. Tell us if you are pregnant or have recently been vaccinated, because the vaccine may cause positive IgM for several weeks after administration.

What your results mean

• IgG positive: you are protected. Testing before subsequent pregnancies does not generally need to be repeated unless your gynaecologist decides otherwise.
• IgG negative or borderline: protection is not confirmed. Your doctor may recommend vaccination before pregnancy or after childbirth; pregnancy should be postponed for at least four weeks after vaccination. In someone with two documented vaccine doses, negative IgG does not necessarily mean there is no protection.
• IgM positive: a recent infection or recent vaccination is possible, but so is a false-positive result. During pregnancy, the result is confirmed with a repeat sample, and the doctor may also request IgG avidity.
• IgM negative with positive IgG: no signs of recent infection.

The cut-offs are printed on the report. A doctor, or a gynaecologist during pregnancy, interprets the result alongside vaccination history, symptoms and previous results.

How to arrange testing

You can come for blood collection without an appointment or referral at one of our branches throughout Croatia (listed on the Contactpage). Prices for all tests and panels are listed in the price list. If you also want to check toxoplasma, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex alongside rubella, the TORCH testis more cost-effective.

Frequently asked questions

I was vaccinated in childhood. Do I need testing before pregnancy?

Two documented vaccine doses are considered sufficient protection. If you have no vaccination records or are unsure, IgG testing provides a quick answer, and gynaecologists often request it even in vaccinated women. Alongside rubella, you can also check protection against measles and mumps.

How long after vaccination can I become pregnant?

After measles, mumps and rubella vaccination, pregnancy should be postponed for at least four weeks. If pregnancy occurs earlier, contact your gynaecologist. Experience to date has not shown the vaccine to have harmed the fetus.

Can I be vaccinated while breastfeeding?

Yes. Breastfeeding does not prevent vaccination, so a woman without confirmed protection is often vaccinated after childbirth, before the next pregnancy.

What if I have been in contact with someone with a rash during pregnancy?

Contact your gynaecologist. Positive IgG shows that you are protected. If you are not, the doctor usually repeats tests to check whether infection occurred and decides further steps according to the stage of pregnancy.