Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Ab, IgG

check icon Optimal Result: 0 - 0.6 U/mL.

Other names for this test: CMV (serum), cytomegalovirus serologic test, cytomegalovirus antibody, CMV antibody, CMV IgG, CMV IgM

CMV causes an infectious mononucleosis syndrome clinically indistinguishable from heterophil positive mononucleosis.

Signs include fever, malaise, and increased transaminase levels without jaundice.

This marker aids in the determination of serological status to CMV. IgG antibodies rise gradually and persist for the rest of an individual's life. The specific IgG assay is useful in distinguishing who has been exposed to the virus from those who have not. Levels of IgM to hCMV usually increase for some weeks and decrease slowly thereafter, in four to six months. Occasionally, IgM may circulate for years. 

Most adults are infected with CMV and it is normal to be a carrier of the virus.

What is the Cytomegalovirus test?

This test looks for antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus in the herpes family, in your blood.

CMV is so widespread that most people in the U.S. have been infected by the time they reach age 40. But many don't realize it. You can pick up the virus by handling or exchanging bodily fluids, such as saliva, blood, urine, breast milk, and semen. The virus usually causes only a mild illness. But it can do serious harm to unborn children, people with HIV/AIDS, or others with weak immune systems.

Antibodies are germ-fighting molecules that your immune system makes in response to infection. If you have CMV-specific antibodies in your blood, you may have a CMV infection.

Like other herpes family viruses, CMV hides in the body after the first infection and can flare up again. Later infections tend to be milder. In fact, in adults with a healthy immune system, the first infection may not have any symptoms.

Why do I need this test?

 

You may need this test if you have unexplained symptoms that resemble the flu. If you've been infected with the virus, you may have these signs and symptoms:

- Prolonged high fever

- Fatigue

- Loss of appetite

- Muscle and joint pain or stiffness

- Headache

- Sore throat

- Swollen lymph nodes

- Swollen liver and spleen

You may also have this test if you are pregnant, have HIV, or are a transplant donor or recipient. If you have a current infection, your healthcare provider can give you certain medicines to reduce the danger of congenital CMV in infants or of active illness in people with weakened immune systems.

Only a lab test can confirm that you have CMV.

What does it mean if your Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Ab, IgG result is too high?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. CMV infections are widespread and can affect individuals of all ages. This virus may remain dormant within the body and periodically reactivate. While CMV infections are often asymptomatic or cause mild symptoms in healthy individuals, they can lead to more severe complications in those with weakened immune systems. In particular, CMV infections can pose risks to pregnant individuals and people with compromised immune function, such as transplant recipients or individuals with HIV/AIDS. Congenital CMV infection can be transmitted from a pregnant person to their baby and may lead to birth defects.

CMV is related to other herpesviruses like chickenpox, herpes simplex, and mononucleosis. It's essential to be aware of CMV, especially in certain medical contexts, to prevent and manage potential complications.

-----------------

A positive test for CMV IgG indicates that a person was infected with CMV at some time during their life but does not indicate when a person was infected. This applies for persons ≥12 months of age when maternal antibodies are no longer present.

If your IgG levels rise between the first and second test, that may mean you have an active infection. The fact that your IgG level increases is more important than the amount of IgG found. The increase shows that your immune system is busy fighting an infection and that the antibodies are not just leftover from an earlier fight.

-----------------

A positive CMV IgG result indicates exposure to Cytomegalovirus (CMV) at some point in the past but does not specify the timing of the infection. Here's what to do if you test positive for CMV IgG:

→ Consult a Healthcare Provider: If you test positive for CMV IgG, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance. They can assess your medical history, current health status, and the reason for the test.

→ Assess the Need for Treatment: In many cases, a positive CMV IgG result does not require treatment, especially if you are not experiencing active symptoms. CMV infections often remain dormant in healthy individuals and may not cause problems.

→ Special Considerations: If you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, your healthcare provider will assess the specific circumstances. In pregnancy, CMV can pose risks to the fetus, and in immunocompromised individuals, it may lead to severe complications.

→ Prevention: Preventing new CMV infections is important, particularly for pregnant individuals. This involves practicing good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, and taking precautions to avoid close contact with individuals who may have an active CMV infection.

→ Follow Medical Advice: If your healthcare provider determines that treatment is necessary or if you have specific medical conditions, they will provide you with a treatment plan, which may include antiviral medications. Follow their advice closely.

It's crucial to have a healthcare professional assess your individual case and provide personalized recommendations based on your health status and any specific risks or concerns associated with a positive CMV IgG result.

All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.

Laboratories

Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place

We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.

lab corp logo
genova diagnostics logo
quest diagnostics logo
dutch test logo
doctors data logo
vibrant america logo
diagnostic solutions logo
zrt laboratory logo
the great plains laboratory logo
cyrex laboratories logo
spectracell logo

Pricing Table

decoration

Personal plans

$15/ month

Complete Plan

Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track all results with visual tools
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export your full lab history anytime
  • Share results securely with anyone
  • Begin with first report entered
  • Cancel or upgrade anytime

$250/ once

Unlimited Account

Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track all results with visual tools
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export your full lab history anytime
  • Share results securely with anyone
  • Receive 10 reports entered for you
  • Skip the $15/month subscription — no recurring payments ever

$45/ month

Pro Monthly

Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track lab results for multiple clients
  • Customize reference ranges per client
  • Export lab histories and reports
  • Begin with first report entered by us
  • Cancel or upgrade anytime

About membership

What's included in a Healthmatters membership

microscope icon Import Lab Results from Any Source

person icon See Your Health Timeline

book icon Understand What Your Results Mean

textbook icon

textbook icon Visualize Your Results

folder icon

folder icon

card icon Securely Share With Anyone You Trust

Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story

What Healthmatters Members Are Saying

5 stars rating

I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with  any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.

Anthony

Unlimited Plan Member since 2021

5 stars rating

What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!

Karin

Advanced Plan Member since 2020

5 stars rating

As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!

Paul

Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.

Frequently asked questions

Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.

  • Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
  • Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.

With a Healthmatters account, you can:

  • Upload lab reports from any lab
  • View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
  • Track trends and monitor changes over time
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export and share your full lab history
  • Access your results anytime, from any device

Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
  • GI-MAP,
  • The NutrEval FMV®,
  • The ION Profile,
  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
  • Organic Acids Test,
  • Organix Comprehensive Profile,
  • Toxic Metals,
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC),
  • Metabolic panel,
  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
  • And many, many more.

You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

shield icon

We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

gdpr compliance image hipaa compliance image