If you’re a parent, no doubt you remember your little one having to head to the pediatrician to get vaccines for several diseases. In many states, those immunizations are required for school-aged children. If your child is now a young adult, they may be heading to college or heading into the next chapter of life, and they need those immunization records. Problem is, those records are sometimes difficult to track down, especially if you’ve moved.

When Proof of Immunization is Needed

Besides colleges and universities requiring proof of immunization, there are others who need to have confirmation of immunization, like healthcare students, travelers, school faculty, healthcare and veterinary professionals, medical sales and medical device representatives.

Titer Testing with Any Lab Test Now®

If you fall into any of these categories, Any Lab Test Now® can provide answers through a few of our titer tests. These are antibody tests that detect the presence and measure the amount of antibodies in a person’s blood and can provide confirmation of immunization. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to the presence of foreign substances, such as viruses or bacteria. A titer may be used to prove immunity to disease.

What Does a Titer Test Reveal?

Here’s the process. Come to an Any Lab Test Now® lab testing center. We will obtain a blood sample from you. The results of the titer test will show whether you have a sufficient level of antibodies against the targeted pathogen. If the titer level is above a certain threshold, it generally indicates that you are immune to the disease or have a protective level of antibodies due to prior exposure or vaccination. If the test is negative (no immunity) or equivocal (not enough immunity) you need to get a booster vaccine.

Titer tests are commonly used for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis, varicella (chickenpox), and others. They are also used to check immunity for individuals at risk of exposure to certain infectious agents.

Get Tested at Any Lab Test Now®

Here are a few of the important tests we have at Any Lab Test Now®.

Student Titer I Panel – This is a simple venous blood draw that can test for immunity for the following diseases:

  • Measles – Also known as rubeola, is a virus that infects cells in the lung and in the back of the throat.
  • Mumps – This is a contagious viral infection that is easily spread through sneezing, coughing, talking, or by sharing items (e.g., utensils or cups).
  • Rubella – Highly contagious infection characterized by fever and rash.
  • Varicella – Chickenpox and shingles are caused by an infection with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

Student Titer II Panel – this was previously called the Allied Health Panel. This series covers all the above-mentioned diseases, plus tests for hepatitis B, which is inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection.

Why Vaccines are Important

The World Health Organization attributes immunization to saving millions of lives every year, creating a significant impact on global health, promoting healthy populations, and enabling economic development by reducing illness-related productivity losses.

Vaccines are designed to protect individuals from serious and potentially life-threatening infectious diseases. They stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells, which provide immunity against specific pathogens. Vaccines have been instrumental in eradicating or controlling several diseases that were once widespread and caused significant morbidity and mortality. For example, smallpox has been eradicated worldwide, and diseases like polio and measles have seen significant reductions in cases due to vaccination efforts.

Healthcare and You

If you want or need to know if you have immunity against certain illnesses, Any Lab Test Now® can help. We are a lab testing center that provides tangible results, which gives you the opportunity to make well-informed decisions about your health.

With many young adults leaving the nest, they are budgeting for the first time, or it’s the debut of their own healthcare plans. For insurance with a high deductible, we are the solution to help save you money. Lab testing is one of the medical expenses you can pay for with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Any Lab Test Now® is Your Partner in Health

It’s important for young adults or anyone looking for information to understand the value of their health and make informed choices that support their well-being. We are here as a resource to obtain answers. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.