Blood sample (serum)
Oral fluid (Buccal swab)
Gold top clotted (5ml)
Red topped viral Copan swab or Buccal kit from PHE (tel: 0300 303 8162)
Testing for measles immunity pre-vaccination is not recommended.
Measles is initially diagnosed based on the clinical triad of rash for 3 days, coryza & fever, with consideration given to the vaccination history and epidemiological contacts. All suspect cases should be managed as such and urgent contact with the on-call microbiologists. Testing will be discussed then.
IgM is generally detectable 3 days after rash onset.
Detection of antibodies to Measles for IgG (past infection) or IgM (current or recent infection).
Please state date of contact with measles if this is an investigation of rash in pregnancy.
Local test
2-5 days
Please contact the laboratory to discuss urgent testing
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-symptoms-diagnosis-complications-treatment
Specimen Labelling Procedure
9018
