Diagnosis
A physical exam of the patient to detect enlarged liver or spleen may be carried out.
Confirmation of the EBV-related mononucleosis infection is possible through blood tests. These tests may reveal a large number of any one type of white blood cells (lymphocytes) that may display an atypical appearance.
Blood tests undertaken for mono include:-
- Monospot – Mono patients have antibodies present in their serum raised against the EBV. During a monospot test horse RBCs clump due to the presence of these antibodies. This clumping can be detected using the Monospot blood test.
- Heterophil antibodies test – Sheep RBC too clump in the presence of the patients’ serum antibodies. This clumping is detected by the heterophil blood test.
- Tests are taken to rule out Strep throat - an infection with a streptococci bacteria
- Blood chemistry tests may be carried out to check liver functions
