If you have had measles you have probably built up immunity to it. But how do you know for sure?
Overview
What is measles?
A highly contagious viral infection which can cause pneumonia and encephalitis. Its effects can be fatal, and in pregnancy it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
Why is measles immunity testing important?
Although serious complications are rare in the UK, measles can have dramatic consequences and can be a major threat to a healthy pregnancy if you do not have immunity. Testing can indicate your level of risk in the event of a measles outbreak.
What does measles immunity testing do?
Measles immunity testing checks for a specific type of antibody which may indicate that you have previously had measles. If you have, you are considered immune to measles.
How do I get tested?
Book a simple blood test now.
Did You Know?
Prior to vaccination programmes, measles killed around 2.6 million people globally every year
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that, even as recently as the 1960s, was responsible for killing millions worldwide.
Today, mass vaccination has reduced measles-related deaths to the tens of thousands globally, and serious complications are very rare in the UK. Nevertheless, measles is unpleasant for anyone who contracts it, and it can present a major threat to children under five who are not yet immunised and to pregnant women’s unborn babies, where the mother does not have immunity.
Symptoms of measles
Measles incubates for up to 10 days without displaying symptoms. Thereafter, you may feel cold or flu-like symptoms accompanied by a temperature, a sensitivity to light; red eyes and grey/white spots on the inside of your cheeks.
Within a few days, a red/brown rash will appear around the head and neck and spread to other parts of the body.
Most cases of measles will disappear in 7-10 days from the first symptoms appearing, but measles can lead to complications. Ear infections are relatively common, as is diarrhoea. In the most extreme cases, measles can lead to blindness, pneumonia and encephalitis (an infection that causes the brain to swell).
How does measles affect pregnancy?
Measles can be extremely dangerous during pregnancy. If you are not immune and you catch measles during pregnancy it can trigger a miscarriage or early delivery or lead to a stillbirth.
What should I do if I think I have measles?
See your GP immediately. If you cannot get a swift appointment with your GP, or if seeing your GP is impractical, measles testing can help you understand the nature of your illness.
What does measles immunity testing do?
When you have measles, your body responds by releasing antibodies into your bloodstream. Depending on which types of antibodies are present we can tell whether you are in the early stages of measles infection (testing positive for a type of antibody known as IgM), in the acute stages of infection (testing positive for IgM and IgG antibodies), or have developed immunity as a result of having previously been infected with measles (testing positive for IgG antibodies only).
Better2Know carries out two forms of measles testing. This test checks your immunity. You can find out more about testing for measles infection here.
Why is measles immunity testing important?
Generally, you cannot get measles more than once. Providing your immune system operates as it should, the first infection should lead to the production of the antibodies noted above, which should prevent you from ever contracting measles again.
But if you have never had measles, have never been vaccinated or have a weak immune system you may wish to know whether you are at risk from measles. This might be particularly important if:
- You are planning to fall pregnant
- There is a measles outbreak close to you
- You are planning to travel to a part of the world where measles is still common
How do I get tested?
To get tested, please contact Better2Know on the number above.