Measles (Rubeola) Antibody IgG

The measles (rubeola) antibody IgG test measures the levels of measles (rubeola) antibody IgG test in blood. Measles, which is also known as rubeola, is a virus that is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. The measles infection resolves within several days but at times can cause serious complications. Measles can be prevented through vaccination. 

The measles virus infects the cells present in the lungs and the back of the throat. Measles is a contagious virus infection that can easily spread through coughing and sneezing or touching a surface that is already contaminated with the virus and then using the same touch to mouth, nose, or eyes. The measles virus is said to live for up to two hours in the air after an infected person has coughed or sneezed. The infected individuals remain contagious for a few days before the symptoms start to appear.

After 1 to 2 weeks of infection, the symptoms of measles appear such as high fever, dry cough, red eyes, sensitivity to light, and running nose. One may also experience sore throat, presence of tiny white spots inside the mouth, and appearance of a typical rash that starts on the face and further it spreads down the body to the trunk and legs.

Most people recover within a few weeks but some develop complications which include infection of the ear, inflammation of bronchi, pneumonia, diarrhea, rarely encephalitis, or blindness. In extremely rare cases, a person usually small baby or young children out of every thousand people infected can die from a measles infection. 

Those people who are malnourished tend to have Vitamin A deficiency or weakened immune system which puts them at risk of severe infections. Pregnant ladies if infected with measles fall into a greater risk of miscarriage.