SALUDA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) ― With a measles case popping up in the CSRA, you may be wondered if you’re immune.
Although experts say vaccination is the best protection, some people may not know whether they’ve been vaccinated, or whether it worked for them.
Luckily, there’s a test for that.
What about the S.C. outbreak?
On Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Public Health reported no new cases of measles in the state since Friday’s announcement the case in Saluda County.
The number of cases related to the Upstate outbreak remains at 997, with 1,001 cases reported in the state as a whole since July 2025.
There currently is no one in isolation, and 41 are in quarantine related to the Saluda County exposure. The last day of the Saluda County quarantine is May 9.
If no new outbreak-related cases are reported, the last day of the Upstate outbreak will be April 26.
The Saluda County case involves an adult with unknown vaccination status and is the result of international travel.
What about the test?
A simple blood test can help provide answers about your immunity.
Madison Gault, clinical director at Any Lab Test Now in Greenville, said interest in measles titer testing has grown significantly.
“We offer over 8,000 different tests for the public to just walk in, have whatever they want done,” Gault said.
A titer test measures immunoglobulin G antibodies, which indicate past exposure to or vaccination against a virus like measles. The procedure takes about 10 minutes, and results take up to three days.
Reporter Kari Beal, who received two doses of the MMR vaccine as a child, had her measles antibody levels tested. Her results were 300 — well above the minimum immunity threshold of 16.
She brought the results to family physician Dr. Nita Bijoor of Oakview Medical Associates.
“There is no established ‘really high.’ It means you have a good level, probably because you do have good health system, you do have good nutrition, you have a good lifestyle, healthy lifestyle, so your body is mounting a very good antibody response,” Bijoor said.
Bijoor cautions that the titer test is not foolproof.
“There can be false negatives, it can be low, and the person may still have a good antibody response. So it’s not a 100% foolproof test,” she said.
She says the memory of a virus can sometimes remain in cells without producing high antibody levels in a test.
What is measles?Measles is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The initial symptoms of measles include fever, cough and runny nose. These symptoms are followed by a rash. The rash usually lasts five or six days.The virus can be spread through the air when a person with measles breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after the sick person is gone from the area. People with measles should stay home from work or school for four days after their rash first appears.The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination. You can easily get a vaccination at many pharmacies without a prescription.
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