Plus, studies have also shown that the test can yield false positives, according to a 2015 review article. But there are a few drawbacks: It may not detect the infection until the second week of illness, so the results may come back as negative even if you have mono if the test is done too soon after you’ve been infected. It’s relatively inexpensive, fast, and easy to perform it’s a simple blood test and results can come back in a day. The mononucleosis spot test, or monospot test (a type of heterophile test), checks your blood for antibodies that are produced in response to EBV infection. These tests may include: Mononucleosis Spot Test Such lab tests can be useful in identifying the cause of illness in people with atypical mono symptoms or in those who have another infection that can be caused by EBV. In other cases, your healthcare provider may also order lab tests to get more information and rule out other illnesses that may be causing your symptoms. In many cases, no further tests are needed to make a diagnosis of mono. Typically doctors don’t prescribe specific drugs to treat mono, but there are steps you can take to help minimize symptoms, and there are important precautions to take to ensure a smooth recovery.Īnother reason it’s important to get diagnosed if you do have mono is so you can take precautions to avoid spreading it, as the virus is contagious - and you’ll continue to be contagious for a long time after symptoms go away. If you are experiencing symptoms, particularly if they last longer than a week, it’s a good idea to see your doctor, who can determine if you do have mononucleosis and rule out other problems. But in others who are immunocompromised, mono can be potentially life-threatening.” “The younger you are, the harder to tell if it’s EBV,” says Eric Johannsen, MD, associate professor of infectious disease in the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, who specializes in EBV. Some doctors suspect some cases of mono in young children likely go undiagnosed because symptoms are so mild and are mistaken for those of a cold or the flu. Some children who get mono experience nothing more than a slight fever and brief loss of appetite, and seem a little more tired than usual. ( 1, 2)ĭoctors aren’t sure exactly why, but children tend to have milder mono symptoms than adults. ![]() Symptoms are similar to those of a cold or the flu, including fever, severe sore throat, muscle aches, and extreme exhaustion. Symptoms in teens and adults tend to be worse than those in younger individuals. Mononucleosis, or mono as it’s more commonly referred to, is an infection that’s primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Note that it’s more common in teens and young adults. However, specific laboratory tests may be needed to identify the cause of illness in people who do not have a typical case of infectious mononucleosis.If you have an illness that feels like the worst cold or flu you’ve ever had and it knocks you off your feet, it could be mononucleosis. Laboratory tests are not usually needed to diagnose infectious mononucleosis. Healthcare providers typically diagnose infectious mononucleosis based on symptoms. Participating in contact sports can be strenuous and may cause the spleen to rupture. Based on the severity of the symptoms, a healthcare provider may recommend treatment of specific organ systems affected by infectious mononucleosis.īecause your spleen may become enlarged as a result of infectious mononucleosis, you should avoid contact sports until you fully recover. If you have infectious mononucleosis, you should not take penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin or amoxicillin. taking over-the-counter medications for pain and fever.You can help relieve symptoms of infectious mononucleosis by. ![]() You can help protect yourself by not kissing or sharing drinks, food, or personal items, like toothbrushes, with people who have infectious mononucleosis. There is no vaccine to protect against infectious mononucleosis. Other infections that can cause infectious mononucleosis:
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