A rubella blood test checks to see if you have antibodies to the rubella virus. Antibodies are proteins your immune system makes to help fight infections and keep you from getting sick. They're targeted to specific germs, viruses, and other invaders. Your doctor can tell a lot from the type of antibodies that you have in your blood.
IgG stays in your bloodstream for life. It means you had either the illness or the vaccine in the past and are now immune to the virus. You're likely to have this test when you need to know that you can't get sick with rubella.
You'll need both tests if you're pregnant and your doctor suspects you have rubella. And your baby will need both tests after birth, too.