Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies Blood Test

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies test helps diagnose a current, recent, or past EBV infection. A member of the herpes virus family, EBV is transmitted through the saliva. After an initial exposure to the virus, there is an incubation period of several weeks, EBV then causes a primary infection, followed by resolution and dormancy. Those who have been infected with EBV will have the virus in the body for the rest of their life, causing few problems unless the their immune system is significantly compromised.

EBV causes glandular fever in up to 50% of those who are infected. Symptoms of glandular fever include a very high temperature, a severe sore throat, swollen glands, extreme fatigue. There are several EBV antibodies that can be produced by the body in an immune response to several different EBV antigens. These include IgM and IgG antibodies to the viral capsid antigen (VCA) and antibodies to the nuclear antigen (EBNA). This blood test checks for all 3 of these antibodies, the results of which will help one of our doctors identify whether it is a current, recent, or past infection when commenting on your results.