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Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies
Also known as: EBV Antibodies, EBV VCA-IgM Ab, EBV VCA-IgG Ab, EBNA-IgG Ab, EA-D IgG Ab Formal name: Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody to Viral Capsid Antigen, IgM; Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody to Viral Capsid Antigen, IgG; Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody to Nuclear Antigen, IgG; Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody to Early D Antigen, IgG; Heterophile Antibodies (see Mono) Related tests: Mono, Complete Blood Count, White Blood Cell Count
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Common Questions
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1. How is EBV infection/Mono treated?
2. Do adults get Mono?
3. Do EBV infection and Mono occur throughout the world?
4. Can EBV be prevented?
5. If I have had EBV infection, can I still get Mono?
6. Why is Mono sometimes called “the kissing disease”?
1. How is EBV infection/Mono treated?
Care is largely supportive, rest, treating the symptoms, avoiding any contact sports or heavy lifting for several weeks (to avoid spleen rupture). There are no anti-viral medications or vaccines available to speed healing or prevent infection.
2. Do adults get Mono?
They do, but it is rare because most have already been infected at an earlier age. When they do, they tend to have less lymph node swelling and sore throat and more liver enlargement and jaundice.
3. Do EBV infection and Mono occur throughout the world?
Yes. In less developed nations, however, Mono is not as common because most of the population is infected with EBV earlier in life (when symptoms are minimal).
4. Can EBV be prevented?
Not at this time. It is too common in the population and, because the virus will reactivate intermittently in a previously infected person (usually without causing any symptoms), almost everyone is infectious at one time or another.
5. If I have had EBV infection, can I still get Mono?
No. Once you have had an EBV infection, you will not get Mono. You could, however, experience similar symptoms from another viral illness.
6. Why is Mono sometimes called “the kissing disease”?
This is because EBV does not pass through the air; it is present in saliva and is passed through mouth-to-mouth contact (and, in the case of children, through saliva transfer to hands and/or toys, etc.).
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This article was last reviewed on
October 24, 2005.
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