Reading EBV Labs
Epstein-Barr is one of the viruses that causes mono (the other is CMV). Contrary to popular belief, it can reactivate and you can in fact get mono more than once, or ongoing. It is related to or potentially the root cause of fibromyalgia, tremors, weakness, chronic fatigue and more. Unfortunately very few doctors are aware of the connections, or how to test for EBV which is gravely unfortunate because these scenarios are not rare.
Here's how to test:
Serum labs MUST INCLUDE ALL 4 VALUES of Epstein-Barr antibodies.
IgM: For primary AKA 1st exposure. Only positive in the 1st 1-2 months of 1st infection (primary).
Nuclear Antigen IgG: Only positive AFTER primary infection. This will remain positive for life. 95% of adults will have high numbers for life which indicates past infection.
VCA IgG: Only positive AFTER primary infection. Will remain positive for life. 95% of adults will have high numbers for life which indicates past infection.
Early Antigen AKA EA : This is the most important value for reactivation and is almost always left out. If this is positive you/your patient is in fact in reactivation.
This lab is complete. It contains the Early Antigen. If this is high, it is considered reactivation. If it is NOT included in the lab report, you will NOT know if you are in reactivation.
*Additional information: Some folks simply make abundant antibodies which makes the following debatable but also worth tracking. It is suggested that if the values for VCA or Nuclear Antigen are really high (over 150-200) and the EA is missing in the report, it is possible to be in reactivation or about to be, and it would be worthy of pursing the EA test. Until the EA values are in, reactivation is ultimately undetermined.
For more information including symptoms, resources, treatment therapies and more check out this course on Udemy.
