IgM stands for Immunoglobulin M.
IgM is a type of antibody found primarily in the blood and lymph fluid. It's the first antibody the body produces to fight a new infection. Because it's the first responder, its presence often indicates a recent or current infection.
Here's a breakdown of key features of IgM:
- Location: Primarily found in blood and lymph fluid.
- Role: First antibody produced during an infection.
- Indication: Its presence usually signifies a recent or current infection.
- Structure: IgM is a large molecule compared to other antibodies, like IgG.
Therefore, when doctors test for antibodies to determine if someone has been infected, they often look for the presence of IgM as an indicator of a recent infection.
