Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Antibodies to Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) Blood Test, IgM

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies blood tests 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.  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.

Symtoms include:

Extreme weakness or fatigue
Fever
Headache
Sore throat
Swollen lymph glands in the neck and/or armpits
Enlarged spleen and/or liver (sometimes)

This test 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.

IgM antibodies are typically detectable within 2-3 weeks of infection but may be detectable earlier in some people.  These antibodies will typically disappear 4-6 weeks after infection.