Human Herpesvirus (HHV) 6 IgG Test

Sample Report Test Code: 161075 Specimen Type: Blood

Description:

Human Herpesvirus (HHV) 6 IgG Test

This test looks for antibodies to Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in the blood.  HHV-6 is a member of the Herpes family of viruses.  Information on how HHV-6 is spread is limited but research has found that the majority of people are infected when they are very young.  The most common form of transmission is through saliva but it can be transmitted through sexual contact as well.  Once a person is infected, the virus remains in their system for the rest of their life.  The virus will typically remain latent but can reactivate later in life and may be related to a variety of health issues, especially in people whose immune systems are compromised. 

HHV-6 does not usually cause any symptoms but initial infection in children may cause fever, diarrhea or rash.  Adults with a reactivated infection may experience fever or illness similar to mononucleosis (mono).    HHV-6 has been linked to a number of conditions including Multiples Sclerosis, Viral Hepatitis, Epilepsy, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Encephalitis and Lung disease.   

This Human Herpesvirus 6 test looks for IgG antibodies which typically develop a few weeks after infection and can persist for the rest of a person's life.  A positive test typically means that a person has been infected in the past but does not necessarily indicate an active infection.  Elevated antibody levels may indicate an active infection but results will need to be interpreted by a doctor.  An HHV-6 IgM Antibody test can be more accurate at detecting an active or recent infection.  A negative blood test does not rule out the possibility of infection, as HHV-6 can be found in various organs and tissues even if it is not present in the blood.  If a person is symptomatic but still tests negative, their doctor may need to recommend further testing.

Turnaround for this test is typically 2-4 business days.

Where can I find a Human Herpesvirus (HHV) 6 IgG Test near me?

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