**Note: All laboratory testing requires an authorizing physician. DHA Laboratory offers a patient direct program that partners you with an authorizing physician. If you have any additional questions regarding the availability of testing, please contact our laboratory by telephone or email.**
A Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) Antibodies test can be used to aid in the diagnosis of past infection/exposure to roseola infantum; may be useful in the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has recently been identified as the agent associated with both pediatric and adult infections. Most children have been infected by age three. The acute infection in children is characterized clinically by an acute febrile illness, irritability, inflammation of tympanic membranes, and (uncommonly) a rash characteristic of roseola.
In adults, HHV-6 has been associated with chronic fatigue and spontaneously resolving fever resembling a mononucleosis-like illness. During the acute episode, an elevated IgM HHV-6 is useful. An increase in IgG HHV-6 between acute and convalescent serum samples is consistent with a recent HHV-6 infection.
Please note that this test only measures IgG antibodies.