Question 1

What is Past CMV Infection?

Accepted Answer

Past CMV infection refers to previous exposure to cytomegalovirus, a common herpes family virus that remains dormant in the body after initial infection. It is caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), which infects most people without symptoms but triggers lifelong antibody production. The Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies IgG test is the most important test for confirming past infection and immunity status.

Question 2

What causes past CMV infection?

Accepted Answer

Past CMV infection is caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), a highly contagious virus that spreads through bodily fluids like saliva, urine, blood, breast milk, and sexual contact. Once you are infected with CMV, the virus remains in your body for life in a dormant state, but your immune system keeps it under control. Most people contract CMV during childhood or young adulthood through close contact with infected individuals, and while the initial infection rarely causes noticeable symptoms in healthy people, the body produces permanent antibodies that provide lifelong immunity.

Question 3

What is the best test for past CMV infection?

Accepted Answer

The Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies IgG test is the most important test for past CMV infection because it detects IgG antibodies that remain in your blood indefinitely after initial exposure to the virus. When CMV IgG antibodies are present without CMV IgM antibodies (which indicate recent or active infection), this confirms you had a past infection and now have immunity. This test is essential for pregnant women planning conception to assess their risk of primary CMV infection during pregnancy, and for immunocompromised patients who need to understand their infection history before transplants or chemotherapy.

Question 4

When should I get tested for past CMV infection?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you are planning pregnancy or currently pregnant and want to know your CMV immunity status, if you are preparing for an organ transplant or starting immunosuppressive therapy, if you work in childcare or healthcare settings with high CMV exposure risk, or if you have a weakened immune system from HIV, cancer treatment, or autoimmune conditions. Testing is particularly important before pregnancy because knowing your immunity status helps assess the risk of transmitting CMV to your baby, which can cause serious complications if you contract it for the first time while pregnant.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of past CMV infection?

Accepted Answer

Most people with past CMV infection never experienced noticeable symptoms during their initial infection, which is why many are unaware they have been exposed to the virus. Some people may have had mild flu-like symptoms during initial infection, including fever, fatigue, sore throat, swollen glands, or muscle aches that resolved on their own. Once the infection becomes dormant, there are no ongoing symptoms, and the virus remains inactive in your body unless your immune system becomes significantly weakened.

Question 6

Who is at risk for past CMV infection?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can contract CMV, but certain groups have higher exposure rates, including childcare workers who handle diapers and saliva of young children, healthcare professionals exposed to infected patients, parents of young children in daycare settings, and people with multiple sexual partners. By age 40, approximately 50-80% of adults in the United States have been infected with CMV at some point. While past infection is common and generally harmless in healthy people, knowing your status becomes important if you are planning pregnancy, receiving an organ transplant, or have a compromised immune system.

Question 7

What happens if past CMV infection is left undetected?

Accepted Answer

Leaving past CMV infection undetected is generally not dangerous for healthy individuals since the dormant virus causes no harm when your immune system is functioning normally. However, not knowing your immunity status can create serious risks in specific situations, particularly for pregnant women who lack immunity and contract CMV for the first time during pregnancy, potentially causing birth defects, hearing loss, or developmental delays in the baby. For immunocompromised patients undergoing transplants or chemotherapy, undetected past infection can reactivate and cause life-threatening complications like pneumonia, hepatitis, or organ damage when the immune system is suppressed.

Question 8

Can past CMV infection be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, past CMV infection is definitively diagnosed with a blood test that measures CMV IgG antibodies, which are produced by your immune system after initial infection and remain detectable for life. The presence of CMV IgG antibodies without CMV IgM antibodies (which indicate recent infection) confirms past exposure and current immunity. This simple blood test provides clear results that help doctors assess your risk level for various medical situations, making it an essential screening tool for pregnancy planning, transplant preparation, and immune status evaluation.

Question 9

How is past CMV infection treated?

Accepted Answer

Past CMV infection in dormant form does not require any treatment in healthy individuals because the virus remains inactive and controlled by your immune system. No medications can eliminate CMV from your body once you have been infected, but antiviral drugs like ganciclovir or valganciclovir may be prescribed if the virus reactivates in immunocompromised patients. For pregnant women with past CMV infection, no treatment is needed because existing immunity protects both mother and baby from complications, unlike women who contract CMV for the first time during pregnancy.

Question 10

How can I prevent past CMV infection?

Accepted Answer

You cannot prevent an infection that already occurred in the past, but if you have never been infected with CMV, you can reduce your risk of contracting it by practicing good hygiene, especially washing hands thoroughly after changing diapers, wiping noses, or handling toys of young children. Avoid sharing food, drinks, utensils, or toothbrushes with young children or anyone who might be infected, and practice safe sex to reduce transmission through sexual contact. Pregnant women without CMV immunity should be especially careful around young children to avoid primary infection during pregnancy, which poses the greatest risk to the developing baby.

Question 11

What can I do at home to manage past CMV infection?

Accepted Answer

Since past CMV infection remains dormant and causes no symptoms in healthy individuals, no home management is necessary for the infection itself. However, maintaining a strong immune system through healthy lifestyle choices helps keep the virus inactive, including eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, managing stress, and avoiding smoking. If you are immunocompromised, work closely with your healthcare provider to monitor for any signs of viral reactivation, and follow their recommendations for antiviral prophylaxis if needed to prevent complications.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Past CMV Infection Blood Test

What is Past CMV Infection?

What causes past CMV infection?

What is the best test for past CMV infection?

When should I get tested for past CMV infection?

References

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

Us vs. Them

1,000,000+ blood tests later, here's what our customers say

Ask AI