What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing symptoms like fever, severe headache, confusion, or neck stiffness after a mosquito bite, especially during warmer months when mosquitoes are active. It helps if you have concerns about possible exposure to St. Louis encephalitis virus, which is spread through mosquito bites and can affect the brain. It's also useful if you live in or traveled to an area with reported cases and want to check for past or recent exposure.

What's included in this test?

This test checks two types of antibodies your body makes in response to St. Louis encephalitis virus exposure. One type shows up during a current or very recent infection, while the other type tends to stick around longer and can indicate exposure at some point in the past. Looking at both together helps paint a clearer picture of whether an infection is new or happened a while back.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with each value's normal range clearly explained, so you can see whether your IgG and IgM levels fall inside or outside the typical range. If your IgM comes back positive, suggesting a recent infection, it's important to seek medical care right away since this can be a serious condition. A full lab report is available to download from your account at any time, and you can use the trends feature to track your antibody levels if you get retested later on.

How can I naturally support my immune system?

While there's no natural remedy that treats a viral infection like St. Louis encephalitis directly, keeping your immune system strong can help your body respond better if you're exposed. Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and managing stress all support your body's natural defenses. Avoiding mosquito bites in the first place through repellent, long sleeves, and removing standing water is the best way to lower your risk.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days after your sample is collected at the lab. You'll get a notification once your results are posted to your account, so you can log in and review them at your convenience. If your situation feels urgent due to severe symptoms, don't wait for lab results — seek medical care right away.

Who should consider this test?

Anyone who has had a recent mosquito bite followed by fever, headache, confusion, or other neurological symptoms should consider this test. It's also a good option for people living in or returning from regions with known St. Louis encephalitis activity, particularly during peak mosquito season. If you work outdoors or spend a lot of time in areas with standing water where mosquitoes breed, testing can offer peace of mind.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common symptoms include sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, tremors, and in more serious cases, difficulty with coordination or seizures. Milder cases might just feel like a flu with fatigue and body aches. If these symptoms appear after mosquito exposure, especially in summer or fall, it's worth getting checked.

What does a positive IgM result mean?

A positive IgM result usually means you have a recent or current infection with St. Louis encephalitis virus, since this antibody type shows up early and fades within a few months. This finding should be taken seriously, and if you have severe symptoms like confusion or seizures, seek medical care immediately. Mild cases may just need rest, fluids, and monitoring at home.

What does a high IgG titer mean?

An IgG titer of 1:16 or higher suggests you've been exposed to the virus at some point, either recently or in the past. On its own, a high IgG without IgM usually points to an older exposure rather than an active infection. Retesting a few weeks later can help clarify whether the levels are rising, which would suggest a more recent event.

How often should I retest?

If your first test shows a borderline or unclear result, retesting 2 to 4 weeks later can help confirm whether antibody levels are rising or falling, which clarifies the timing of exposure. If you had a confirmed past infection, routine retesting generally isn't needed unless you develop new symptoms. For ongoing risk, such as living in a high-mosquito area, testing again if symptoms appear each season is a reasonable approach.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

St. Louis Encephalitis Antibody Test - IgG & IgM

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

[email protected]