![]() These tests may be ordered for an asymptomatic person to see if that person has been previously exposed to EBV or is susceptible to a primary EBV infection. In pregnant women with symptoms of a viral illness, one or more EBV antibody tests may be ordered along with tests for cytomegalovirus (CMV), toxoplasmosis, and other infections (sometimes as part of a TORCH screen) to help distinguish between EBV and conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Timing of when the antibody is typically detected in the bloodĪppears first after exposure to the virus and then tends to disappear after about 4 to 6 weeksĮmerges during acute infection with the highest level at 2 to 4 weeks, then drops slightly, stabilizes, and is present for lifeĪppears during the acute infection phase and then tends to disappear about 20% of those infected will continue to have detectable quantities for several years after the EBV infection has resolved.Įpstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen (EBNA) antibodyĭoes not usually appear until the acute infection has resolved it develops about 2 to 4 months after the initial infection and is then is present for life.īlood tests for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies are used to help diagnose EBV infection, the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis (mono), if a person is symptomatic but has a negative mono test. Measurement of these antibodies in the blood can aid in diagnosis and typically provides the healthcare practitioner with information about the stage of infection and whether it is a current, recent, or past infection. During a primary EBV infection, the level of each of these EBV antibodies rises and falls at various times as the infection progresses. The antibodies are proteins produced by the body in an immune response to several different Epstein-Barr virus antigens. Several tests for different types and classes of EBV antibodies are available. A person may have strep throat instead of mono or may have both conditions at the same time. Those with strep throat, an infection caused by group A streptococcus, for instance, need to be identified and treated with antibiotics. It can also be important to rule out EBV infection and to look for other causes of the symptoms. Testing can help to distinguish a primary EBV infection, which has not been shown to affect a developing baby, from a CMV, herpes simplex virus, or toxoplasmosis infection, as these illnesses can cause complications during the pregnancy and may harm the fetus. For instance, it may be important to diagnose the cause of symptoms of a viral illness in a pregnant woman. Sometimes, it can be important to distinguish EBV from these other illnesses. According to the CDC, examples of other causes of mono include cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, rubella, and toxoplasmosis. Tests for EBV antibodies can be used to determine whether or not the symptoms these people are experiencing are due to a current infection with the EBV virus.ĮBV is the most common cause of mono. About 25% of those with mono do not produce heterophile antibodies and will have a negative mono test this is especially true with children. People with mono are typically diagnosed by their symptoms and the findings from a complete blood count (CBC) and a mono test (which tests for a heterophile antibody). These symptoms occur in about 25% of infected teens and young adults and usually resolve within a month or two. However, when the initial infection occurs in adolescence, it can cause infectious mononucleosis, commonly called mono, a condition associated with fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged spleen, and sometimes an enlarged liver. ![]() Most people are infected by EBV in childhood and experience few or no symptoms. Latent EBV remains in the person’s body for the rest of that person’s life and may reactivate but usually causes few problems unless the person’s immune system is significantly weakened. This is followed by a decrease in viral numbers and resolution of symptoms, but the virus never completely goes away. During the acute primary infection, the virus multiplies in number. It is present in the saliva of infected individuals and can be spread through close contact such as kissing and through sharing utensils or cups.Īfter initial exposure to EBV, there is a period of several weeks before associated symptoms may appear, called the incubation period. The virus is very contagious and easily passed from person to person. ![]() According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people in the United States are infected by EBV at some point in their lives. Blood tests for Epstein-Barr virus detect antibodies to EBV in the blood and help establish a diagnosis of EBV infection.Įpstein-Barr virus causes an infection that is very common. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a virus that typically causes a mild to moderate illness.
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