#Mono blood test skin

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. swollen tonsils that can obstruct breathing.complications that involve the nervous system, such as meningitis or Guillain-Barré syndrome.thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in platelets, the part of your blood that begins the clotting process.anemia, which is a decrease in your red blood cell count.Rare complicationsĪccording to the Mayo Clinic, mono can also cause some of these extremely rare complications:

#Mono blood test skin

Hepatitis (liver inflammation) or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) may occasionally occur in people who have mono. Call your doctor immediately if you have mono and experience a sharp, sudden pain in the upper left part of your abdomen. Talk to your doctor about when you can return to your normal activities.Ī ruptured spleen in people who have mono is rare, but it is a life-threatening emergency. You should wait at least 1 month before doing any vigorous activities, lifting heavy objects, or playing contact sports to avoid rupturing your spleen, which may be swollen from the infection. In rare cases, some people may develop the following complications: Enlarged spleen In some cases, people who have mono get secondary infections such as strep throat, sinus infections, or tonsillitis. This test can detect mono as early as the first week you have symptoms, but it takes longer to get the results. This blood test looks for EBV-specific antibodies. If your monospot test comes back negative, your doctor might order an EBV antibody test. This test isn’t always accurate, but it’s easy to do, and results are usually available within an hour or less. At this point, you would have sufficient amounts of heterophile antibodies to trigger a reliable positive response. The results of this test are the most consistent when it’s done between 2 and 4 weeks after symptoms of mono appear. Instead, the monospot test determines your levels of another group of antibodies your body is likely to produce when you’re infected with EBV. However, it doesn’t look for EBV antibodies. This blood test looks for antibodies -these are proteins your immune system produces in response to harmful elements. One of the most reliable ways to diagnose mononucleosis is the monospot test (or heterophile test). Lab tests are the second part of a doctor’s diagnosis. A high white blood cell count can’t confirm an infection with EBV, but the result suggests that it’s a strong possibility. White blood cell countĪ mono infection typically causes your body to produce more white blood cells as it tries to defend itself. For example, a high lymphocyte count often indicates an infection. This blood test will help determine how severe your illness is by looking at your levels of various blood cells. Sometimes your doctor will request a complete blood count. They might also check the upper left part of your stomach to determine if your spleen is enlarged. Your doctor will take your temperature and check the glands in your neck, armpits, and groin.

If you’re between ages of 15 and 25, your doctor might also ask if you’ve been in contact with any individuals who have mono.Īge is one of the main factors for diagnosing mono along with the most common symptoms: fever, sore throat, and swollen glands. Once you visit your doctor, they’ll normally ask how long you’ve had symptoms. Learn more about how EBV is diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus test.īecause other, more serious viruses such as hepatitis A can cause symptoms similar to mono, your doctor will work to rule out these possibilities. In addition to its connection with mono, experts are looking into possible links between EBV and conditions such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. In rare cases it can reactivate, but there usually won’t be any symptoms. According to the CDC, it’s one of the most common viruses to infect humans around the world.Īfter you become infected with EBV, it remains inactive in your body for the rest of your life. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family. In children, the virus typically causes no symptoms, and the infection often goes unrecognized. In adolescents and adults, the infection sometimes doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. It usually takes 4 to 8 weeks for symptoms to develop after you’re infected.

You can be exposed to the virus by a cough or sneeze, by kissing, or by sharing food or drinks with someone who has mono. It’s also spread through sexual contact and organ transplantation. The virus is spread through direct contact with saliva from the mouth of an infected person or other bodily fluids, such as blood.