Diagnosing Mononucleosis

A person is suspected of mononucleosis whenmononucleosis infection, heterophile antibodies
symptoms like fatigue, sore throat, fever, andappear but decreases after 4 weeks or so.
swollen glands emerge. Some symptoms like liverThese antibodies do not show up sometimes
enlargement, nausea, swollen spleen, diarrhea,during the initial week of infection, and around
headache, body aches, and respiratory symptoms50% only of primarily Epstein Barr infected
may also arise and be indicative of this condition.children may have the heterophile antibodies.
Mononucleosis is otherwise known as Epstein BarrDue to mono spot test limitations, a need for
or glandular fever.additional examinations to diagnose mononucleosis
The patient's age will be considered for diagnosis.may be required. These further antibody tests
An estimate of 50% among the children willare important especially for expectant mothers
develop mononucleosis before five years of age.and patients with compromised immune system.
Symptoms for mononucleosis can be mild orMajor mono diagnostic antibody test includes:
even none among children and babies.VCA-IgG (determine an individuals for viral
The duration of illness is also considered forsusceptibility and recent infection); EA-D,
diagnosis. The cold or flu brought about byVCA-IgA, VCA-IgM and EBNA (determines a
mononucleosis usually lasts longer, around 2 to 4recent viral infection). Further diagnostic exams to
weeks, unlike common flu or cold lasting for onlydetermine illness extent are platelet count, liver
a few days. After the initial infection, somefunction test, and swab test for strep throat.
infected individuals may have recurrentIf and when the mono diagnostic tests yield
symptoms. An example is a fatigue that lasts fornegative results, then different tests should be
several weeks or even months.done to diagnose the real condition of the mono
Laboratory examinations that seek to find atypicalsigns and symptoms mimicry like
lymphocytes (a type of WBC) in the bloodstream,cytomegalovirus, hepatitis, HIV, toxoplasmosis,
a total WBC count increase, and presence ofand adenovirus.
Epstein Barr Virus antibodies will confirm thePositive mono diagnosis will require increase pure
diagnosis of mononucleosis.water consumption, rest, as well as, intake of
The mono spot test is an example of asupplemental nutrients, diet, essential oils,
mononucleosis antibody exam. The test is done tohomeopathics, and herbs to boost immune
confirm the presence of heterophile antibodies insystem.
the bloodstream. During the first month of