Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw from arm
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around time: 2-3 days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Know your immunity status - determine if you're protected or susceptible to CMV infection
- Make informed pregnancy decisions - assess risk for congenital CMV complications
- Monitor high-risk conditions - track CMV reactivation if immunocompromised
- Get answers without waiting - skip insurance delays and physician referrals
- Protect your family's health - identify active infections requiring medical attention
- Plan ahead confidently - results help guide healthcare and lifestyle decisions
Who Is This Test For?
- Women planning pregnancy or currently pregnant
- Immunocompromised individuals (organ transplant, HIV, cancer patients)
- Healthcare workers and childcare providers
- People with unexplained fever, fatigue, or mono-like symptoms
- Adults experiencing swollen lymph nodes or persistent sore throat
- Anyone wanting to know their CMV immunity status
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - no prescription needed, choose your preferred lab location
- Visit the lab - quick blood draw takes just minutes, no fasting required
- Get results fast - secure online results in 1-3 days with clear interpretation
FAQ
What does this test measure? This test detects IgG and IgM antibodies to determine if you have current, recent, or past CMV infection.
Do I need to fast before testing? No fasting is required. You can eat and drink normally before your blood draw.
How accurate is this test? CMV antibody tests are highly reliable with IgG showing 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity (Clinical Studies 2025).
What if I'm pregnant and test positive? Consult your doctor immediately. CMV during pregnancy can affect your baby's development.
Can CMV reactivate after infection? Yes, CMV remains dormant in your body and can reactivate, especially when your immune system is weakened.
When should I retest? Retest if you're pregnant, immunocompromised, or have new symptoms suggesting CMV infection.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test determines your cytomegalovirus infection status by measuring two types of antibodies in your blood. CMV affects 58.9% of Americans over age 6, with prevalence increasing with age (NHANES Study 2006). While typically harmless in healthy adults, CMV can cause serious complications during pregnancy and in immunocompromised individuals. The test identifies whether you have active infection (IgM positive), past infection with immunity (IgG positive), or no previous exposure to CMV.
Who would benefit from this test?
Women planning pregnancy or in their first trimester should know their CMV status, as primary infection during pregnancy causes congenital CMV in 0.67% of newborns globally (Meta-analysis 2021). Immunocompromised patients including organ transplant recipients, HIV patients, and cancer patients need regular CMV monitoring for early detection of reactivation (CDC Guidelines 2024). Healthcare workers, childcare providers, and teachers exposed to CMV-shedding populations benefit from knowing their immunity status. Anyone with unexplained fever, fatigue, or mononucleosis-like symptoms should consider testing.
When should I order this CMV test?
Order before pregnancy or during first trimester screening to assess risk for congenital CMV. Test after potential CMV exposure, especially if you're pregnant or immunocompromised. Consider testing when experiencing unexplained fever, fatigue, sore throat, or swollen lymph nodes lasting more than a week. Immunocompromised patients should test before organ transplantation and for routine monitoring every 3-6 months (Johns Hopkins 2024). Wait at least 2-3 weeks after potential exposure for accurate results.
How do I interpret the results?
IgG: Negative | IgM: Negative
- What it means: No CMV infection; susceptible
- Typical action: Practice prevention measures
IgG: Positive | IgM: Negative
- What it means: Past infection; immune
- Typical action: Low risk for reinfection
IgG: Negative | IgM: Positive
- What it means: Recent or active CMV infection
- Typical action: Consult physician immediately
IgG: Positive | IgM: Positive
- What it means: Recent infection or reactivation
- Typical action: Medical evaluation required
CMV IgG antibodies provide lifelong immunity against primary infection, but reactivation can still occur in immunocompromised individuals.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting or special preparation is needed for this blood test. Eat and drink normally before your appointment. Avoid testing within 3 months of receiving blood transfusion or immunoglobulin therapy, as this may affect antibody levels (UCSF Health). Inform your healthcare provider about immunosuppressive medications or recent illness. Schedule testing at least 2-3 weeks after potential CMV exposure for most accurate results. The simple blood draw takes just minutes and causes minimal discomfort.
How often should I get tested?
- Pregnancy planning
- Suggested interval: Once before conception
- Immunocompromised patients
- Suggested interval: Every 3–6 months
- Healthcare workers
- Suggested interval: Annually or after exposure
- Post-organ transplant
- Suggested interval: Weekly initially, then monthly
- General population
- Suggested interval: As clinically indicated
Why early detection matters
Early CMV detection prevents serious complications and enables timely treatment. During pregnancy, identifying primary CMV infection allows for enhanced monitoring and potential interventions to reduce congenital transmission risk. For immunocompromised patients, early detection of CMV reactivation enables prompt antiviral therapy, preventing progression to life-threatening disease (Mayo Clinic 2017). CMV causes significant economic burden with lifetime costs per affected child reaching $1.3 million (Economic Studies 2021). Proactive testing provides peace of mind and enables informed healthcare decisions for you and your family.
Related tests you may consider
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) PCR, QN, Blood Test checks your blood for CMV, a common virus that can make people with weak immune systems very sick, helping doctors understand if you have an active infection and how serious it is so they can provide the right treatment.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Blood Test, Quantitativemeasures the total IgA levels in the blood to assess the immune system status and detect or monitor a deficiency/excess.
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Antibodies to Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) Blood Test, IgM aids in the diagnosis of acute EBV infection. (infectious mononucleosis)
