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Do VCA, EA, EBNA In An EBV Test Result Indicate Epstein Barr Virus?
Question: I have a question about infectious diseases, but there isn't an infectious disease specialist here..
I have recently had an EBV test, that came out reactive to the following:
VCA,EA, EBNA...Could you please tell me if this means I have chronic Epstein barr virus, or how do I figure this out. Every specialist says no, it means nothing, and every naturopath says it's huge and I have chronic EBV. Please advise.
I have recently had an EBV test, that came out reactive to the following:
VCA,EA, EBNA...Could you please tell me if this means I have chronic Epstein barr virus, or how do I figure this out. Every specialist says no, it means nothing, and every naturopath says it's huge and I have chronic EBV. Please advise.
Brief Answer:
does not mean that there is a chronic infection
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
According to the CDC---(1) Viral capsid antigen (VCA)-- there are two types of antibodies or the body's reaction to this particular protein.
The first antibody to appear to any infection is IgM , IgG appears after. The antibody IgM to viral capsid antigen appears after and disappears within 4 to 6 weeks.
IgG appears after the initial affect, levels decrease slightly but may persist for the rest of a person's life.
The presence of IgG does not mean that a person has a chronic infection but it is just an indicator that a person had an infection in the past. It is like a sign post indicating the presence of the infection in the past , not persisting, not present at the moment.
(2)Early antigen (EA)- appears early in the infection. It falls to undetectable levels by 3 to 6 months.
According to the CDC, 20% of persons have antibodies against EA for years though they are perfectly healthy
The presence of these do not mean that you have an active infection.
(3)EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)-- appears 2 to 4 months after the infection occurred/started and they are present for life.
Again this is just a marker for infection, indicates that the person had this infection at some point but the acute infection is not present nor does it mean that there is a persisting infection
It like a scar after a trauma. When you fall or get a cut, the cut heals but the scar remains. The scar does not mean that the cut is still present but will be there to say that you had a cut at some point.
These antibodies are there to say that at some point you had this infection but there infection is not still present.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
does not mean that there is a chronic infection
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
According to the CDC---(1) Viral capsid antigen (VCA)-- there are two types of antibodies or the body's reaction to this particular protein.
The first antibody to appear to any infection is IgM , IgG appears after. The antibody IgM to viral capsid antigen appears after and disappears within 4 to 6 weeks.
IgG appears after the initial affect, levels decrease slightly but may persist for the rest of a person's life.
The presence of IgG does not mean that a person has a chronic infection but it is just an indicator that a person had an infection in the past. It is like a sign post indicating the presence of the infection in the past , not persisting, not present at the moment.
(2)Early antigen (EA)- appears early in the infection. It falls to undetectable levels by 3 to 6 months.
According to the CDC, 20% of persons have antibodies against EA for years though they are perfectly healthy
The presence of these do not mean that you have an active infection.
(3)EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)-- appears 2 to 4 months after the infection occurred/started and they are present for life.
Again this is just a marker for infection, indicates that the person had this infection at some point but the acute infection is not present nor does it mean that there is a persisting infection
It like a scar after a trauma. When you fall or get a cut, the cut heals but the scar remains. The scar does not mean that the cut is still present but will be there to say that you had a cut at some point.
These antibodies are there to say that at some point you had this infection but there infection is not still present.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you,
Why do naturopaths all say I have chronic EBV then based on these results?
I don't understand how they can get away with saying this??
XXXXXXX
Why do naturopaths all say I have chronic EBV then based on these results?
I don't understand how they can get away with saying this??
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
don't understand why they are telling you that
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry for the delayed reply
I don't understand myself why they are telling you this misinformation.
It would freak anyone out.
I can only assume that they do not understand the tests and the results
Please feel free to ask anything else
don't understand why they are telling you that
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry for the delayed reply
I don't understand myself why they are telling you this misinformation.
It would freak anyone out.
I can only assume that they do not understand the tests and the results
Please feel free to ask anything else
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
Answered by
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