Mumps Virus Antibody

Your doctor will ask you to get this test done if he/she suspects that you have symptoms that indicate mumps. In most cases, mumps symptoms begin to show after 14 to 25 days of coming in contact with the virus. Most common symptoms of the infection are as follows:

• High fever
• Joint pain
• Swelling of the jaw and below the ears
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite

A mumps virus antibody test may also be suggested if the doctor wants to determine if you are immune to the virus (due to vaccination or previous infection). This diagnosis will be made certain by checking if you have IgG antibodies in your body. 

Additionally, your doctor may ask you to take this test to rule out mumps when you have an infection of the salivary glands or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain).

Your doctor will let you know if you need any specific preparations before undergoing this test. Inform your doctor if you are using any routine medications or health/herbal supplements. 

A blood sample is needed for this test. Your doctor or lab technician would collect the required amount of blood from a vein in your arm by inserting a needle - you may feel a prick when the needle is being inserted. If you happen to feel anxious about needles, communicate to your healthcare provider so that they can make you relax beforehand. 

Normal results:

A normal result is stated as negative. The interpretation of a negative result could be as follows:

• You have never been exposed to the mumps virus, not even through immunisation. 
• You do not have active mumps, which means that you have been recently exposed to the virus, but the symptoms are likely due to another cause. 

Abnormal results:

If your test results are positive for IgG antibodies, it means that you either have had mumps previously or have been vaccinated against mumps. The IgG antibodies are produced in the body gradually in response to the infection. These antibodies will exist in your body for a lifetime to provide immunity against the infection. IgM antibodies, on the other hand, are produced by the body in response to the infection immediately. Hence, if you are tested positive for IgM antibodies, it indicates that you have either had the infection recently or are currently suffering from mumps. 

IgM antibodies are produced very quickly after exposure to the virus, reach a peak level and then decrease gradually. However, if your test results are negative for IgM antibodies, it may still be possible that you have mumps. The doctor will conduct more tests to make a conclusive diagnosis.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.