Other names: EBV VIRAL CAPSID AG (VCA) AB (IGG), Epstein-Barr Virus, Antibody To Viral Capsid Antigen, IgG
This test detects IgG antibodies your immune system makes against the viral capsid antigen of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). Once you’ve been infected, VCA-IgG usually becomes positive for life, showing you’ve been exposed at some point. By itself, VCA-IgG does not prove current infection; it must be interpreted with other EBV markers (VCA-IgM, EBNA-IgG, ± Early Antigen [EA] IgG) and your symptoms.
Other names: EBV Capsid Ag Ab/IgG
EBV is very common and often causes only mild illness.
It spreads easily through saliva (kissing, sharing drinks, utensils).
First infection in adolescence or early adulthood can cause “mono” (infectious mononucleosis) with tiredness, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
After recovery, EBV stays dormant in your body and may reactivate occasionally, usually without major problems unless your immune system is weakened.
< 18.0: Negative
18.0 – 21.9: Equivocal
≥ 22.0: Positive
Note: Units and cutoffs vary by lab. Always check the range on your report.
Negative (< 18.0 U/mL): Suggests no prior EBV infection or very early infection before antibodies form.
If you have mono-like symptoms but VCA-IgG is negative, your clinician may add VCA-IgM, EBNA-IgG, EA-IgG, or EBV DNA (PCR), or repeat the test in 1–2 weeks.
Other illnesses can mimic mono (e.g., CMV, hepatitis viruses, rubella, toxoplasmosis, strep throat).
Equivocal (18.0–21.9 U/mL): Borderline result, sometimes due to very early infection, test variation, or low antibody levels.
Repeat the test in 1–2 weeks.
Adding companion markers (VCA-IgM, EBNA-IgG, ± EA-IgG) gives clearer answers.
Positive (≥ 22.0 U/mL): Shows you were infected with EBV at some point in the past.
Most healthy adults test positive—this is normal and does not mean active illness.
To check for recent vs. remote infection, doctors compare patterns of different EBV antibodies:
| Clinical stage | VCA-IgM | VCA-IgG | EBNA-IgG | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early/acute infection | + | + | − | Consistent with recent infection |
| Past infection | − | + | + | Previous exposure; not active illness |
| Very early “window” | − | − | − | No antibodies yet; retest if suspicion remains |
| Possible reactivation* | ± | + | + | Depends on symptoms; may need EA-IgG or PCR |
* Reactivation patterns vary—always interpreted with symptoms and context.
People with mono-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen glands).
Patients with a negative or inconclusive “mono test” (heterophile antibody), especially children.
Pre-transplant evaluations or when doctors need to confirm past EBV exposure.
Those with weakened immunity, where EBV activity may impact treatment.
Sample: Blood (serum)
Fasting: Not required
Timing: If your symptoms just started, antibodies may not show yet—repeat in 1–2 weeks if suspicion stays high.
Testing too early → possible false-negative.
Weakened immune system → delayed or reduced antibody response.
Different labs use different units and cutoffs.
Borderline results may require repeat testing or more markers.
Negative and feeling well: No action usually needed.
Negative but symptomatic: Full EBV panel or repeat test may help.
Equivocal: Retest in 1–2 weeks; consider additional markers.
Positive and well: Reflects past infection and is considered normal for most adults.
Positive with current symptoms: Pair with other tests (VCA-IgM, EBNA-IgG, EA-IgG, or PCR) to determine if the infection is recent or reactivated.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Always review your test results with your healthcare provider to decide what they mean for you personally.
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A positive EBV VCA-IgG (≥ 22.0 U/mL) means you’ve been infected with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) at some point in the past. This antibody typically remains positive for life, so most healthy adults have a positive result—this is common and expected. On its own, VCA-IgG does not prove a current/active infection.
To understand timing (recent vs. past) or reactivation, clinicians compare additional EBV markers and context:
VCA-IgM positive + EBNA-IgG negative → often consistent with a recent/acute infection.
VCA-IgM negative + EBNA-IgG positive → indicates a past infection, not active.
Reactivation is considered when VCA-IgG is positive with other findings (e.g., EA-IgG and/or EBV PCR) and compatible symptoms or immunosuppression.
Most of the time, a positive VCA-IgG alone just reflects prior exposure and doesn’t require treatment. If you currently have fatigue, fever, sore throat, or swollen lymph nodes, your clinician may add VCA-IgM, EBNA-IgG, ± EA-IgG or consider EBV PCR to clarify whether infection is recent.
Note: Reference ranges and units can vary by lab; always interpret your result alongside the range printed on your report and your clinical history.
Disclaimer: Educational only. Please review your results with your healthcare provider.
Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
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.
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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!
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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!
Please refer to this interpretation chart:
| EBV CAPSID IgG | EBV CAPSID Igm | EBNA IgG | Interpretation |
| Negative | Negative | Negative | No previous exposure |
| Positive | Positive | Negative | Recent infection |
| Positive | Negative | Positive | Past infection |
| Positive | Negative | Negative | See note* |
| Positive | Positive | Positive | Past infection |
Note:
*Results indicate infection with EBV at some time (VCA IgG positive). However, the time of the infection cannot be predicted (ie, recent or past) since antibodies to EBNA usually develop after primary infection (recent) or, alternatively, approximately 5% to 10% of patients with EBV never develop antibodies to EBNA (past).
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Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
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.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
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!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
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!
Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.
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