Hepatitis E Virus IgG (HEV IgG)
Evidence of Past Exposure and Recovery
The Hepatitis E IgG Test (Anti-HEV IgG) is a blood test that determines if you have ever been infected with the Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in your lifetime.
Unlike Hepatitis B and C (which are spread through blood), Hepatitis E is typically spread through contaminated water or food. The IgG antibody is the "memory" antibody. It appears after you have recovered from the virus and stays in your blood for years, serving as proof that your immune system has successfully fought off the infection.
Doctors generally order this test to investigate your medical history or rule out other causes of liver damage. It is useful for:
- Excluding Active Infection: If you have liver symptoms but test IgG Positive and IgM Negative, it means your current sickness is not Hepatitis E (because the HEV infection is old).
- Travelers: If you have lived in or traveled to regions with poor sanitation (parts of Asia, Africa, and Central America), you may have been exposed without knowing it.
- Unexplained Liver Issues: If standard Hep A, B, and C tests are negative, doctors look for "non-A-C" hepatitis viruses like HEV.
- Epidemiological Studies: To see if a population has developed immunity after an outbreak.
