Zika Virus IgG & IgM Test – Accurate & Reliable Antibody Detection

Description

Zika Virus IgG Test – Accurate Detection of Past Zika Exposure

The Zika Virus IgG Test from Lab Tests Dubai is a specialized blood test that detects IgG antibodiesagainst the Zika virus—a mosquito-borne flavivirus that spread globally during outbreaks in South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.

While most infections are mild or asymptomatic, Zika virus poses a severe risk during pregnancy, potentially causing:

• Congenital Zika Syndrome
• Microcephaly (abnormally small head)
• Brain abnormalities, vision/hearing loss, developmental delays

This test is essential for:

• Women planning pregnancy after travel to endemic areas
• Pregnant women with travel history or unexplained ultrasound findings
• Travelers returning from Zika-risk regions
• Couples undergoing fertility treatments
• Public health screening in high-risk zones

Using high-sensitivity Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) technology, this serum-based test detects long-term IgG antibodies, which appear 2–3 weeks after infection and persist for months to years—helping OB-GYNs and infectious disease specialists assess prior exposure and guide pregnancy planning.

Available with home blood collection, Lab Tests Dubai ensures accurate, private, and stress-free testing—so you can plan your family with confidence.

Why You Need This Test

If you’re planning a baby and recently traveled to Brazil, Thailand, or the Philippines, this test could protect your unborn child from life-altering birth defects.

You need the Zika IgG Test if:

• You’ve traveled to or lived in a Zika-endemic country
• You’re planning pregnancy or in early pregnancy
• You had fever, rash, or red eyes during or after travel
• You’ve had unprotected sex with someone who traveled to a high-risk area
• Your prenatal ultrasound shows abnormal brain development
• You work in public health or travel medicine

This test helps:

• Confirm past infection and immunity
• Reduce anxiety during pregnancy
• Avoid unnecessary amniocentesis or ultrasounds
• Guide safe conception timing

Early testing = safer pregnancy and peace of mind.

Symptoms That Indicate This Test

Consider the Zika IgG Test if you experience:

✅ For Acute Zika Infection:

• Low-grade fever
• Maculopapular rash (spreading from face to body)
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes without discharge)
• Joint pain (especially hands and feet)
• Muscle pain, headache

✅ For High-Risk Pregnant Women:

• Travel to endemic regions (Central/South America, Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia)
• Sexual contact with exposed partner
• Fetal brain abnormalities on scan

✅ For Silent Infection:

• No symptoms at all — up to 80% of cases

Even mild or asymptomatic infection can harm a developing fetus.

Natural Production: How IgG Antibodies Signal Past Infection

Zika virus is transmitted by:

• Aedes mosquitoes (same as dengue, chikungunya)
• Mother-to-fetus transmission
• Sexual contact (virus persists in semen)
• Blood transfusion (rare)

After infection:

• IgM antibodies appear 3–5 days post-infection → short-lived (2–12 weeks)
• IgG antibodies rise after 2–3 weeks → persist for months or years

What the Results Mean:

• IgG Positive, IgM Negative → Past infection (likely immune)
• IgG Negative → No prior exposure (vulnerable)
• Both IgG and IgM Positive → Recent infection (requires urgent OB follow-up)

Important Notes:

• Cross-reactivity with dengue, yellow fever, or other flaviviruses can cause false positives
• Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) may be needed for confirmation
• No vaccine is available

This test is part of pre-pregnancy and prenatal infectious disease panels.

What Happens If Untreated? Risks of Ignoring Zika Exposure

Ignoring Zika exposure can lead to:

⚠️ Congenital Zika Syndrome – microcephaly, brain calcifications
⚠️ Vision & Hearing Loss – in newborns
⚠️ Developmental Delays – motor, cognitive, speech
⚠️ Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) – rare autoimmune nerve disorder
⚠️ Pregnancy Loss or Stillbirth

The good news? Risks can be reduced with:

• Delaying pregnancy 3–6 months after exposure
• Mosquito bite prevention (repellent, clothing, nets)
• Safe sex practices (condoms for 3–6 months post-exposure)
• Regular fetal monitoring if exposed during pregnancy

Early testing = protection for your baby and informed decisions.

How to Prepare for the Test

To ensure accurate results:

✅ No fasting required
✅ Continue your regular medications
✅ Wait at least 3–4 weeks after travel or symptom onset for optimal antibody levels
✅ Inform your doctor of:

• Travel destination and duration
• Symptoms during or after travel
• Pregnancy status or plans

A serum blood sample is collected via standard draw—available at our labs or via home collection.

Test Overview: Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) Method

Interpretation:

• Negative → No evidence of past infection
• Positive → Likely past exposure (immune, but virus may have affected fetus if infected during pregnancy)
• Equivocal → Repeat or confirm with PRNT

Note: Often paired with Zika IgM and dengue testing to rule out cross-reactivity.

Benefits of the Zika IgG Test

🔹 Pregnancy Protection
Know your risk before conception.

🔹 Travel Health Clarity
Get answers after visiting high-risk zones.

🔹 Avoid Unnecessary Procedures
Rule out recent infection before amniocentesis.

🔹 Peace of Mind
Stop worrying—know your immune status.

🔹 Public Health Awareness
Help prevent congenital disease.

If you’re planning a baby after travel, the Zika Virus IgG Test gives you the answers you need in 2–3 weeks.