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What Does My EBV Test Result Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 28 Aug 2014
Question: Hi my husband is sick from Epstein Barr. He has been just very tired and fevers all the time. He did get blood work done and they said it is inactive now. I recently had annual blood work done so I asked to be tested for Esptein Barr as well. I do not have any symptoms or anything but the more I read up online about it I was curious and wanted to know since we have two small children. My best results the following:

EBV, Chronic/Active Injection <9.0
EBV Ab VCA, IgG 521.0 (this was flagged and said High)
EBV Nuclear Antigen Ab, IgG 60.5 (this was flagged and said High)
I am just wondering if this means I'm one of those people when I'm reading how it says you and have and just never have symptoms? I guess my biggest thing is my kids. They are small and constantly want to drink out of my water bottle. If I don't have an active injection am I contagious? Again, I have not been sick at all. Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are not contagious..Feel free with your kids!

Detailed Answer:
Hi aHi and thanks for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this EBV infection and all the scares that you have had. They antibodies flagged as high signal that you have had this infection in the past and the body has been able to mastermind it. That is why the screening for active infection is negative. You are not contagious and there is just no fear that you can pass on this infection to your kids at this point. Unless the virus is present and actively multiplying, which is not the case with you, there is no reason to get that worried.

In all, your test shows that you have had this infection in the past. because you are unaware of this, the symptoms probably passed unnoticed or were not that significant. You are not contagious and feel free to share with your kids.

On the contrast, your husband should take precautionary measures as he seems to be having an active infection.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (15 hours later)
Thank you so much Dr. Ditah for your quick response. I'm very happy to hear that I'm okay and since its inactive I can share with my kids. I know its not good to share the water bottle regardless but trying to explain that to a 3 year old is hard sometimes.

As for my husband, I do have a quick follow-up. His blood work and doctor said he is inactive now too but its been alittle over 2 months and he still has the fevers and is very tired. He has been working everyday its just by the end of the day he is completely exhausted. Is this something that can just take this long? They basically told him there is nothing you can do? I read somewhere that some people got vitimin B shots and things like that. It just seems like its been forever.

Thanks again. Jaimme McCallum
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
See below!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up question.

Unfortunately, EBV has no cure. The body controls this infection and that is it. It takes time for all to return to normal. Your husband can take medications to relieve the fevers, body aches, etc while the body completely recovers from this.

Vitamins in a majority of cases cause no harm. He can try them and should he notice an change, then he can keep on with it. If nothing changes, he can as well stop. Otherwise, it is not a recognized management strategy for EBV.

I hope this helps. I wish you both and your entire family well.


Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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What Does My EBV Test Result Indicate?

Brief Answer: You are not contagious..Feel free with your kids! Detailed Answer: Hi aHi and thanks for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this EBV infection and all the scares that you have had. They antibodies flagged as high signal that you have had this infection in the past and the body has been able to mastermind it. That is why the screening for active infection is negative. You are not contagious and there is just no fear that you can pass on this infection to your kids at this point. Unless the virus is present and actively multiplying, which is not the case with you, there is no reason to get that worried. In all, your test shows that you have had this infection in the past. because you are unaware of this, the symptoms probably passed unnoticed or were not that significant. You are not contagious and feel free to share with your kids. On the contrast, your husband should take precautionary measures as he seems to be having an active infection. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.