$50.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Infectious disease
CMV antibody (IgM) test
Cytomegalovirus antibody. Detects recent or active CMV infection.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
CMV is a common virus that many people catch without noticing. This test looks for early antibodies, proteins your immune system makes, that may point to a recent or active infection.
Why it matters for women
CMV is the most common infection babies are born with in the US, and a first infection during pregnancy is the most likely to reach the baby, sometimes causing hearing loss. Toddlers often carry it in saliva and urine, so mothers of young kids and childcare workers are more often exposed. A positive result may need follow-up tests to tell a new infection from an old one.
You might check it if…
- you’re pregnant or trying and had a flu-like illness
- you work with or care for young children
- you’ve had fever, tiredness and swollen glands without a clear cause
What your result may mean
High CMV antibody (IgM): what it may mean
High or positive CMV IgM may mean a recent or active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. IgM can linger for months, can return when an old infection wakes up and can sometimes read falsely positive, so a clinician may add other tests, such as CMV IgG and avidity, to tell a new infection from an old one. This can matter most in pregnancy, because a first infection can reach the baby and can cause hearing loss. Some people may notice fever, tiredness or swollen glands, and many may feel nothing. Toddlers can carry CMV in saliva and urine, so parents and childcare workers can have more exposure.
Low CMV antibody (IgM): what it may mean
Low or negative CMV IgM may mean there is no recent CMV infection, but it can't rule one out on its own. Testing very early can miss an infection, since antibodies can take time to appear. This result also can't speak to past exposure, so a clinician may check CMV IgG, which can stay positive for life. In pregnancy, a clinician may repeat testing after a flu-like illness, since CMV can spread from young children through saliva and urine.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.