Echovirus Antibodies panel IgG and IgM - Test, Procedure & Cost

Echovirus antibodies panel IgG and IgM determine different serotypes of antibodies produced in response to Echovirus. This test may also be advised in case of pharyngitis, enteritis, Arthritis, and Chronic heart disease.

What is the ECHO virus?

Enteric cytopathic human orphan (ECHO) viruses are a group of viruses that lead to severe infections in different parts of the body and cause skin rashes.

This virus is obligated for causing meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

They also affect the gastrointestinal tract.

• * They escape into the human body through the gastrointestinal tract.
• * It starts living there and attacks the nervous system of your body
• * Usually, these viruses affect people under 16, but adults can also be infected. This virus can lead to Type 1 Diabetes and liver and heart infections.

Causes of Echovirus

One can capture the virus if they come into contact with contaminated stool by the virus and possibly by breathing in air particles from an infected person.

Severe infections with ECHO viruses are much less common but can be significant.

Symptoms of Echovirus

The various symptoms present are-

• * Breathing difficulty and harsh cough
• * Mouth sores
• * Skin rashes
• * Sore throat
• * Chest pain and discomfort
• * Severe headache
• * Mental status changes
• * Fever and chills
• * Nausea and vomiting
• * If the infection affects the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, the person becomes sensitive to light.
• * It sometimes also causes asymptomatic infections, upper respiratory infections, congenital & neonatal disease, and febrile illness with rash & Meningitis.

Why is the test done?

The test is conducted to check various infections in the body. It helps identify myocarditis, which leads to complications in adults.

A positive Echovirus IgM test with increasing IgG titers indicates acute or recent infection. Prevailing IgM antibodies may indicate chronic illnesses. Acute Echovirus infection can be confirmed by detecting specific IgM antibodies or the rising titer of IgG antibodies. The highest incidence of IgM-positive titers is found in children between one and ten years old.

Preparations before the Test

• * No special preparations are required for this test.
• * It is advised to inform your physician about any other prevailing medical conditions and all the medications you are taking

Procedure for Test

• * It is a simple blood test, which takes about 10-15 minutes.

• * It does cause pain to the patient and can be done quickly.
• * After this, the sample is collected and sent to the lab for further analysis.