I'm not immune to Rubella

Steimle

As part of my new doctor's first appointment screening, they tested my blood for a bunch of things and I came back as not immune to rubella. I had the shots at 15 months and again at 5 years, as you had to do if you want to go to public school in the 90's, but they are saying that it has worn off. 

I know most people in the US are immune so it's not really a big scare, but I was wondering if any of you had this come up? My doctor doesn't seem concerned, she just explained that if I caught rubella between now and 20 weeks it would be very very bad. But I'm not really THAT freaked out -- there were only like 9 cases in the US in total in 2012 and most of them came from oversees.  (However, a lot of cases are so mild that people don't even go to the doctor.)  

I wonder how common it is to have the immunity just wear off. Anyone else get this news? 

AnyMax

I don't have the immunity either.  RE told me to just avoid feverish kids, especially if they have rashes. 

ksulli

That's weird (although I have no basis for that opinion). I wouldn't be too worried either- since most of the US is vaccinated, hopefully we have you covered. Plus, who knows when it wore off, and you haven't had if her. Chances of your luck running out in the next 20w is pretty slim, right?

Steimle

I agree. I would have the worst luck ever if I managed to avoid getting it up to this point and get it in the next 14 weeks. At that point, I might just take a hint from God that perhaps I'm just not supposed to reproduce.

mrsbtobe20122

This is pretty common actually. You can get the MMR postpartum while still in the hospital. Some people never convert to being immune and remain equivocal no matter how many times they get the vaccine.

moonraffe

I had the chicken pox as a kid (possibly twice, my mom is unclear on if it was my brother or me that had it twice) and typically that then gives you immunity as an adult. In order to join the Peace Corps I had to prove I had immunity and do a titers blood test (same thing they did for you and rubella). Surprise, surprise, I didn't and had to get vaccinated (which didn't even exist when I was a kid). So it's not crazy that the titers showed lack of immunity, it can happen and from what I gather it's not that uncommon (that and the sensitivity of titers are sometimes questioned). But I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you work in a daycare or in some other capacity that involves close contact with kids that haven't been vaccinated.

AnyMax

mrsbtobe20122 said:

This is pretty common actually. You can get the MMR postpartum while still in the hospital. Some people never convert to being immune and remain equivocal no matter how many times they get the vaccine.

I was told this, but if I was planning on breast feeding it should wait.

mrsbtobe20122

AnyMax said:

mrsbtobe20122 said:

This is pretty common actually. You can get the MMR postpartum while still in the hospital. Some people never convert to being immune and remain equivocal no matter how many times they get the vaccine.

I was told this, but if I was planning on breast feeding it should wait.

It's standard for moms to get whether FFing or BFing (see midway through bottom)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/faqs-dis-vac-risks.htm

If i weren't immune, personally, I would get it due to having had a patient in our hospital with the mumps. You never know when random things like that will happen, and I'd be devastated if I passed it to someone else after acquiring it myself.

AnyMax

mrsbtobe20122 said:

AnyMax said:

mrsbtobe20122 said:

This is pretty common actually. You can get the MMR postpartum while still in the hospital. Some people never convert to being immune and remain equivocal no matter how many times they get the vaccine.

I was told this, but if I was planning on breast feeding it should wait.

It's standard for moms to get whether FFing or BFing (see midway through bottom)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/faqs-dis-vac-risks.htm

If i weren't immune, personally, I would get it due to having had a patient in our hospital with the mumps. You never know when random things like that will happen, and I'd be devastated if I passed it to someone else after acquiring it myself.

Thank you for the link, but I do not appreciate the guilt trip about passing it on. I am not anti-vac and I am not being ignorant by holding off based on my doctor's advice. I trust my doctor's medical decisions, and will follow what he feels is best for LO and me.

esmith10

I found out my immunity to Rubella wore off too, during my first pregnancy. Sadly, I miscarried and got the vaccination in between my D&C and waiting for my first AF.

Like others said, I wouldn't worry too much about it since Rubella is so so rare nowadays. When I did find out, I asked my doctor what I should do if I came in contact with a person/kid with Rubella (I teach in several urban schools) and she said that if I did find out that I was exposed to call her immediately and there was some type of shot she could give me to protect the baby. She wasn't concerned though, I wouldn't be either.

mrsbtobe20122

AnyMax said:

mrsbtobe20122 said:

AnyMax said:

mrsbtobe20122 said:

This is pretty common actually. You can get the MMR postpartum while still in the hospital. Some people never convert to being immune and remain equivocal no matter how many times they get the vaccine.

I was told this, but if I was planning on breast feeding it should wait.

It's standard for moms to get whether FFing or BFing (see midway through bottom)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/faqs-dis-vac-risks.htm

If i weren't immune, personally, I would get it due to having had a patient in our hospital with the mumps. You never know when random things like that will happen, and I'd be devastated if I passed it to someone else after acquiring it myself.

Thank you for the link, but I do not appreciate the guilt trip about passing it on. I am not anti-vac and I am not being ignorant by holding off based on my doctor's advice. I trust my doctor's medical decisions, and will follow what he feels is best for LO and me.

I said nothing about you or your decisions.

I said myself, personally, because it has hit close to home. Sorry if you took it that way.