What do the results mean?
If your test results are negative, it likely means you do not have and have never been exposed to measles or mumps. If your test results are positive, it can mean one of the following:
A measles diagnosis
A mumps diagnosis
You have been vaccinated for the measles and/or mumps
You have had a previous infection of measles and/or mumps
If you (or your child) tests positive for measles and/or mumps and have symptoms of illness, you should stay at home for several days to recover. This will also help make sure you don't spread the disease. Your health care provider will let you know how long you will be contagious and when it will be okay to return to your regular activities.
If you've been vaccinated or have had a previous infection, your results will show that you have been exposed to the measles virus and/or mumps virus at one time in your life. But you will not be sick or have any symptoms. It also means you should be protected from getting sick in the future. Vaccination is the best protection against measles and mumps and their complications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children get two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine; one in infancy, the other before starting school. Talk to your child's pediatrician for more information. If you are an adult, and don't know if you have been vaccinated or were ever sick with the viruses, talk to your health care provider.  Measles and mumps tend to make adults sicker than children.
If you have questions about your test results or your vaccination status, talk to your health care provider.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
