We get immunity to diseases such as Measles and Chickenpox through the presence of antibodies to those diseases that are present in our bodies. There are two types of immunity: active and passive.

Active immunity results when exposure to a disease organism triggers the immune system to produce antibodies to that disease. Exposure to the disease organism can occur through infection with the actual disease (resulting in natural immunity), or introduction of a killed or weakened form of the disease organism through vaccination (vaccine-induced immunity). Either way, if an immune person comes into contact with that disease in the future their immune system will recognize it and immediately produce the antibodies needed to fight it.

Passive immunity is provided when a person is given antibodies to a disease rather than producing them through his or her own immune system. A person can also get passive immunity through antibody-containing blood products such as immune globulin, which may be given when immediate protection from a specific disease is needed. This is the major advantage to passive immunity; protection is immediate, whereas active immunity takes time (usually several weeks) to develop. However, passive immunity lasts only for a few weeks or months. Only active immunity is long-lasting.

Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to neutralize or destroy toxins or disease-carrying organisms. Antibodies are disease-specific. The rubella antibody will protect a person who is exposed to the rubella virus, but will have no effect if they are exposed to chicken pox.



The HAV-Ab/total test:

This total antibody test looks at both IgG and IgM antibodies and tells us about both current and previous infection with Hepatitis A. This antibody test will be positive after you receive the Hepatitis A vaccine. If you want the Hepatitis A vaccine, a total antibody test will be done first. If you already have the antibodies, we will not give you the vaccine. After you have completed the required three doses of the vaccine, your total HAV antibody test can be used to see if you have responded to the vaccine.

The Anti-HBs titer:

The hepatitis B surface antibody test tells us if you had a previous exposure to the Hepatitis B virus. If you have the antibody, you can’t pass the virus to others. The antibody also protects you from future Hepatitis B virus infections. In addition to exposure to the Hepatitis B virus, the antibodies can also be acquired from a series of three vaccinations. The Anti-HBs test is done to see if you need this Hepatitis B vaccination series. If the test is negative, the vaccine is recommended. The test can also be done after you have completed the vaccination series to check if you can now fight the disease.

The Anti-HCV test:

This test checks for the presence of antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus. It does not tell you if you have an active viral infection, only that you were exposed to the virus in the past. If your anti-HCV test is positive, we will confirm it with an HCV RIBA test, especially if your test was “slightly positive.” Quantitative HCV RNA testing by the BDNA methodology is often used to measure the viral load and tells us if the infection is still present. This will help your doctor decide on possible course of treatment.

The VDRL test:

This test checks for the bacterium that causes syphilis. The bacterium that causes syphilis is called Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause severe health problems if not untreated. It is treated with the antibiotic penicillin. New infections are easily treated. If you have been infected for more than a year, longer treatment is required.

The Hg A1C test:

This test looks at the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months. The Hg A1C test is used to check the blood sugar control of diabetics. Diabetics should keep their blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. If their glucose levels remain high, it can cause complications like damage to the kidneys, eyes, heart, and nerves. A person without diabetes will have an Hg-A1c between 4% and 6%.

The Measles titer:

This test is done to check if you have enough rubeola (measles) antibodies to protect you from the measles virus. It also shows if you had a past infection or if you have been vaccinated in the past. Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that normally grows in the cells that line the back of the throat and in the cells that line the lungs. Approximately 20% of reported measles cases experience one or more complications. These complications are more common among children under 5 years of age and adults over 20 years old. Measles spreads so easily that anyone who is not immunized will probably get it, eventually. If your test shows that you do not have rubeola antibodies, you have not been exposed to the virus and are not protected against it. You should plan to receive the MMR vaccine at your earliest convenience.

The Mumps titer:

This test is done to check if you have enough mumps antibodies to protect you from the mumps virus. It also shows if you had a past infection or if you have been vaccinated in the past. The mumps virus is found in your upper respiratory tract and is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva or through inanimate objects such as towels, money, clothing, dishes, books or toys. If your test shows that you do not have mumps antibodies, you have not been exposed to the virus and are not protected against it. You should plan to receive the MMR vaccine at your earliest convenience.

The Rubella titer:

This test is done to check if you have enough rubella antibodies to protect you from the rubella virus. It also tells you if you had a past infection or if you have been vaccinated in the past. A rubella infection is very dangerous to a pregnant woman during the first three months of her pregnancy. If your test shows that you do not have IgG rubella antibodies, you have not been exposed to the virus and are not protected against it. You should plan to receive the MMR vaccine at your earliest convenience.

The QuantiFERON TB Gold test:

This test, recently approved by the FDA, is done to check if you have a tuberculosis infection. If we think that you have active tuberculosis, other tests, such as chest X-rays and AFB cultures will be used to confirm the diagnosis. The QuantiFERON TB gold test is not affected by previous tuberculosis skin tests like the PPD test or by a past BCG vaccination. You do not need to return in 48 to 72 hours to have your results read by a healthcare worker. Because there is no injection of tuberculin solution under the skin, there is no need to worry about a local skin reaction.

The Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) titer:

This test is done to check if you have a current or have had a past infection with varicella zoster, a virus that causes chicken pox and shingles. The test checks for Varicella Zoster antibodies, which are produced if you had been exposed to the Varicella Zoster virus. It is used to see if you have been previously exposed to VZV either through past infection or vaccination and have developed immunity to the disease. Once you have been exposed to the Varicella Zoster virus, you will have some amount of the Varicella Zoster Virus IgG antibody in your blood for life. If your test shows that you do not have VZV antibodies, you have not been exposed to the virus and are not protected against it. You should plan to receive the Varivax vaccine at your earliest convenience.