Also known as: MMR Antibodies.

Infections with measles, mumps and rubella viruses are confined to humans and occur worldwide. All are spread primarily via the aerosol route. Each of the viruses exists as a single serotype. The MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) vaccine contains live, attenuated forms of all three  viruses. Nearly all infected individuals will show signs of disease. There is only one serotype of measles and a single natural infection will give life-long protection. The main route of measles infection is via inhalation. Measles virus is highly contagious and the maximum period of contagiousness is the 2 to 3 days before onset of the rash.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes the illness also known as chicken pox. Most pregnant women have already been exposed to the virus and are therefore immune, some may not have previously had the infection. Since the virus can cause birth defects or illness in the infant (depending on when during the pregnancy an infection occurs), testing is available pre-conception or in early pregnancy to determine if the woman has antibodies to VZV. If the woman doesn’t and is therefore not immune, a vaccine can be given before the woman gets pregnant; if she is already pregnant and may have been exposed to the virus, treatment is available that can prevent or weaken the severity of the illness.