Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Only VCA IgG Elevated - Freaking out

Hi, my doctor just ran a test for EBV during a routine physical - I didn't even know she was doing it.  The reason she decided to was just to rule out the cause of my very occasional throat/inner ear pain (which has since been attributed to allergies).
I'm now freaking out about the results.  She says the results mean I've had mono in the past, however I've never had mono that I'm aware of.  The part that's making me very nervous is that my results don't seem to correlate with any normal pattern for EBV test results.  Only my VCA IgG is high.  EBNA is normal.  Everything I'm reading says that past infection would result in positive VCA and EBNA results.  I did read that a small percentage of people, especially those who are immunosupressed, sometimes don't product or don't maintain their EBNA antibodies.  Now that has me panicking that there's something seriously wrong with my immune system (that's what I get for turning to Dr. Google).
Can anyone put my mind at ease here?  My results are below, with the normal range shown in parenthesis.
VCA IgG: 137 (<18)
VCA IgM : 22.7 (<36)
EA IgG: 5.8 (<9)
NA IgG: <3 (<18)
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I think most people get exposed but many don't have symptoms. Or you could have had a bad sore throat back when and were sick but didn't have some of the more telltale symptoms and weren't tested. I've read that the tests for EBV are terrible. I have it chronically recurring but by time I get tested it shows up as past but sky high titers. And many doctors dismiss this. I take antibiotics when my throats and ears hurt or headaches get bad. I'm sure you don't have a major immune problem, but if you're fighting a hidden infection, that would take up your immune system after awhile. I had really low T cells and natural killer cells--like no immune system, doc said--a few years ago and those numbers all came back after antibiotics and perhaps supplements. Stress was big factor. Now I'm sick all the time with EBV. The doctor I see doesn't think I also have a  stealth infection, like I do (have read hidden strep often accompanies) and won't refer me to the only decent infectious disease guy. So I self treat. Have lots of antibiotics left from Lyme disease (which don't think was it even tho tested positive) or I order them myself online.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Community

Top Infectious Diseases Answerers
1415174 tn?1453243103
CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Can HIV be transmitted through this sexual activity? Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia answers this commonly-asked question.
A breakthrough study discovers how to reduce risk of HIV transmission by 95 percent.
Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia provides insight to the most commonly asked question about the transfer of HIV between partners.
Before your drop a dime at the pharmacy, find out if these popular cold and flu home remedies are a wonder or a waste
Fend off colds and the flu with these disease-fighting foods