What Does Positive IgM And IgG In Children Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 6 Nov 2014

Question: My 3 kids ages 5, 4, and 2 all just tested positive on Igm and Igg to Lyme disease (multiple bands positive for both CDC and igenex standards) on the igenex lyme panel. I had lyme 23 years ago and it was treated promptly with 3 weeks of abx and never had another issue.. Is it possible they got this from me? They are all healthy and asymptomatic-- what is the likelihood they indeed have an active raging lyme infection as these tests insinuate?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely because of your Lyme disease

Detailed Answer:
Hi...coming to your queries -
1. It is not because of your previous Lyme disease.
2. Both IgG and IgM positive indicates that they had subclinical infection and are on the recovery phase for one serotype of Lyme disease.
3. Other possibility is that IgG is because of another serotype from which they have recovered and IgM is because of a new serotype.
4. Sometimes these illnesses can go on subclinically.... So if they develop fever or severe body pains... I suggest you take them to their pediatrician immediately.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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