It is believed that in childhood antibodies to rubella already appear . For rubella virus, IgG is produced if you become ill with it or after vaccination has been given. But there are often cases of a child’s disease and even adults, who most often suffer the disease more difficult and with consequences.
A bit of history
For a very long time it was believed that rubella is a weak manifestation of measles. In the 18th century, it was still proven that the virus causes a separate disease. After a while, ophthalmologist Gregg traced the relationship of fetal development disorders as a result of a pregnant woman’s illness.
It was found that the virus is quite unstable to the manifestations of the external environment. He dies under the influence of ultraviolet rays, disinfectants, drying. But he does not respond to temperature changes and remains active.
Therefore, during an illness, someone from the family must carefully clean the premises with disinfectants. It is also important to open the curtains for the penetration of sunlight into the room.
How to get infected
It is proved that only a sick person can spread the virus. It is transmitted by airborne droplets. Through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, it penetrates into the blood.
When the virus enters the lymphatic system, it begins its active development. A week later, it is already distributed in large numbers throughout the body.
At this time, the incubation period ends and antibodies to rubella virus begin to develop. For rubella, IgG begins to accumulate during the course of the disease.
Most often, the active spread of the virus occurs in places with a large crowd of people. Thus, people who do not have immunity will definitely get infected.
Symptomatology
The incubation period lasts an average of 21 days and at least a week. A person can infect another already a week before the first signs and the same after them.
Rubella is of three types:
- typical;
- atypical;
- inapparent.
In the first variant, there are no symptoms at all in the incubation period. Changes in well-being can already be observed simultaneously with the appearance of a rash.
Thus, the infection of others occurs in large numbers. This is due to the fact that the patient does not know that he is sick.
The acute period can last from two hours to several days. It is characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, weakness and lethargy.
Runny nose, lacrimation, and a slight cough may appear. Then the disease goes into another phase, and a rash appears. It does not appear on the feet and palms.
Three days later, the spots on the body fade and gradually disappear. The atypical form is characterized by mild manifestations of the disease, and the non-apparatus form does not give any symptoms at all. It can only be determined by antibodies to rubella virus. Rubella IgG indicates that a person is sick or has recently had a virus.
In infants up to a year, the disease rarely occurs - they are protected by the antibodies of the mother. But artificial children can easily become infected. In this case, rubella will be quite difficult, with possible seizures and other disorders of the central nervous system.
Determination of class Igg antibodies to rubella virus
These are special cells that protect a person from this disease throughout life. Antibodies can be produced after vaccination or after an illness. They in the right amount can fully protect against the disease. Even if a virus enters the body, antibodies instantly recognize and destroy it.
It is believed that blood counts greater than 10 units mean the development of good immunity. Thus, a rubella person is unlikely to get sick. If after some time the titers grow even more, then it is believed that the disease is in acute form.
Such an analysis is useful for children, expectant mothers and adolescents. After conducting it, it will be possible to know with certainty whether it is worth fearing the disease. And it is also necessary to conduct such a diagnosis for patients with severe chronic diseases, because it is very dangerous for them to endure such diseases, because you will definitely have to wait for any complications after them.
How to conduct analysis and its interpretation
The most basic rule before taking tests is to refuse food 8 hours before the diagnosis. And also the day before the collection of blood, do not eat fatty foods and do not drink alcohol. It is forbidden to smoke 1-2 hours before the diagnosis, otherwise the result may be false positive.
You can not go for a blood sampling after undergoing fluorography or x-rays. And it is also necessary to refrain from passing the analysis after an ultrasound study. Only a little boiled water is allowed. Blood sampling comes from a vein.
Results are most often ready in a few days. More than 10 units of rubella virus antibodies are considered good indicators. IgG indicates that immunity is good.
If the numbers are less than 10, then the patient’s antibodies are poorly developed or none at all. In this case, it is necessary to vaccinate with an imported vaccine (measles, rubella, mumps). This complex drug will protect the body from three infectious diseases at once.
Types of antibodies
If an IgM class is detected in the blood during the analysis, this means that the patient only had this disease. If a high level of IgG antibodies to rubella virus is detected, then the patient has long been ill or the immunity has been developed after vaccination.
It is especially important to carry out this type of analysis to pregnant women. Rubella is very dangerous for fetal development in utero. Children are then often born with a variety of mutations and congenital malformations of internal organs.
Therefore, women who plan to become mothers should pass an analysis in advance and consult a doctor with the results so that they detect positive antibodies to the rubella virus IgG and decide whether to vaccinate. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to your health in advance, and not during the onset of pregnancy.
Avidity of rubella virus IgG antibodies
The reference result is considered when the IgG and IgM antibody titers are opposite. That is, the former should be positive, and the latter negative. In this case, the patient is completely protected from this disease.
A negative result means that the patient does not have immunity to this disease. He has not suffered rubella before and is not sick now. In this case, he will be recommended to vaccinate.
A positive result is set when detecting antibodies such as IgM. This means that a person has recently had this disease. As well as rubella may be at this moment in the final stage.
Vaccination
The only way to protect yourself from the disease is through an imported vaccination against measles, rubella, and mumps. Only in this case, it is possible to achieve the development of antibodies without transferring the disease itself.
According to the schedule, vaccination occurs in 1 year. The next should be revaccination at age 6. But adults, especially women, can be vaccinated at any time.
How is measles, rubella, and mumps vaccine tolerated? Many mothers note that children practically do not react to it. But there are isolated cases when the child rises in temperature and even a rash appears.
But doctors say that in this form the disease is not contagious and the patient is completely safe for others. How is the measles, rubella, and mumps vaccine tolerated by older children?
There is usually no reaction to revaccination. But episodes with the course of the rubbed rubella form also occur. Such children also cannot infect others.
It is very important to get vaccinated with an imported measles, rubella, and mumps vaccine on schedule. Rubella can have complex consequences that sometimes lead to disability. For example, brain damage almost never passes without a trace.
For pregnant women, this infection is very dangerous. Many cases have been recorded when children born after the illness of a mother had serious pathologies in their health. And some also have visible mutations on the body.
Such children live the lives of people with disabilities, and neither their mothers nor their joy.