How is Mononucleosis (mono) Diagnosed?
How is Mononucleosis (mono) Diagnosed?To diagnose mononucleosis, a primary care doctor will perform an examination and sometimes order tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.
- Physical exam – Your doctor will check your tonsils and feel your lymph nodes, liver, and spleen
- Blood tests – Your doctor may run a "mono spot test" to look for antibodies in the blood to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, the cause of mono). They may also conduct a blood test to look at your white blood cell count or abnormal white blood cells.
Mononucleosis (mono) vs. strep throat
The symptoms of mono sometimes resemble strep, such as a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. However, mono is caused by a virus and strep throat is caused by a bacterium (streptococcus).
Strep throat can be diagnosed with a strep test, which analyzes a sample taken from the throat to see if strep bacteria are present. There is no cure for mono other than rest, but strep throat can be cured with an antibiotic.
How can a primary care doctor help?
A primary care physician can evaluate your symptoms and order blood tests to make or confirm a diagnosis of mono. If you have mono, your doctor will provide you with guidance about how to get better.
If you develop complications that require another doctor's expertise, your primary care doctor can refer you to a specialist.
How is Mononucleosis (mono) Treated?
How is Mononucleosis (mono) Treated?There is no cure for mono. The best mono treatment is getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. You may also choose to take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve aches and fever.
If your tonsils are so swollen that you are having trouble breathing, your doctor may prescribe a steroid medication to reduce the inflammation.
FAQs
Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Mononucleosis (Mono) Treatment
If you have symptoms of mononucleosis, contact NewYork-Presbyterian for an in-person visit to one of our campuses or medical groups, or schedule a telehealth appointment.
We offer convenient hours and scheduling, connection with our providers through a patient portal, and referrals to specialists. We also take most insurance plans.