Question 1

What is Infectious Mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

Infectious mononucleosis is a viral infection that causes extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which spreads through saliva and close contact. The Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LDH) test is the most important supplementary test for infectious mononucleosis because it measures cellular damage and helps monitor the severity of infection.

Question 2

What causes infectious mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family. The virus spreads primarily through saliva, which is why mono is often called the kissing disease, though it can also spread through sharing drinks, utensils, or toothbrushes. Once EBV enters your body, it infects B lymphocytes (white blood cells) and causes them to multiply rapidly, triggering the immune system to produce large numbers of T lymphocytes to fight the infection, which leads to the characteristic symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and fever.

Question 3

What is the best test for infectious mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

The Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LDH) test is the most important supplementary blood test for infectious mononucleosis because it measures the level of cellular breakdown occurring during the viral infection. While specific mono antibody tests diagnose EBV infection directly, the LDH test helps your doctor assess how severely the infection is affecting your tissues and organs, and it tracks your recovery progress over time. The Rheumatoid Factor (RF) test is also essential when diagnosing mono because the infection can cause temporary false-positive RF results, helping doctors distinguish between mono and autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis when symptoms overlap.

Question 4

When should I get tested for infectious mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you have extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest, a severe sore throat lasting more than a week, swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits, or persistent fever above 101°F. Testing is especially important if you are a teenager or young adult with these symptoms, as mono is most common in the 15-24 age group. You should also consider testing if your symptoms began after close contact with someone who had mono, or if you develop an enlarged spleen that causes pain in your upper left abdomen, as this requires immediate medical attention to prevent rupture.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

Infectious mononucleosis causes extreme fatigue that can last for weeks or months, making it difficult to complete daily activities. You might experience a severe sore throat with white patches on your tonsils, high fever (often 101-104°F), swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits, and headaches. Many people also develop an enlarged spleen, skin rash, loss of appetite, muscle aches, and sensitivity to light. Some people notice jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) if the infection affects the liver, and the fatigue can be so overwhelming that you need to rest for several weeks.

Question 6

Who is at risk for infectious mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

Teenagers and young adults between ages 15 and 24 are at highest risk for developing infectious mononucleosis because this is when most people are first exposed to Epstein-Barr virus. College students and people in close living quarters like dormitories face increased risk due to shared spaces and close contact with many people. Athletes who share water bottles, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone who has intimate contact with someone infected with EBV are also at elevated risk. Interestingly, most adults have been exposed to EBV by age 35 and have developed immunity, so mono is less common in older adults.

Question 7

What happens if infectious mononucleosis is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

If infectious mononucleosis is left untreated, the extreme fatigue and symptoms typically resolve on their own within 2-4 weeks, but complications can develop that require medical attention. The most serious complication is splenic rupture, which occurs when an enlarged spleen bursts due to trauma or physical activity, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. Untreated mono can also lead to hepatitis (liver inflammation), severe airway obstruction from swollen tonsils, anemia, low platelet counts that cause bleeding problems, and rare but serious neurological complications like meningitis or Guillain-Barré syndrome. Some people develop chronic fatigue that persists for months or even years after the initial infection.

Question 8

Can infectious mononucleosis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, infectious mononucleosis can be diagnosed with blood tests that detect specific antibodies your body makes in response to Epstein-Barr virus. The monospot test (heterophile antibody test) is the most common rapid screening test, while specific EBV antibody tests can confirm the diagnosis and determine if the infection is current or past. The Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LDH) test helps assess the severity of cellular damage during infection, and a complete blood count (CBC) typically shows elevated lymphocytes with unusual shapes. The Rheumatoid Factor test helps rule out conditions that mimic mono, as EBV infection can cause temporary false-positive RF results.

Question 9

How is infectious mononucleosis treated?

Accepted Answer

Infectious mononucleosis is treated primarily with supportive care, as there is no specific antiviral medication that cures EBV infection. Your doctor will recommend getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids to prevent dehydration, taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and sore throat, and gargling with salt water to soothe throat pain. You must avoid contact sports and heavy lifting for at least 4-6 weeks to prevent splenic rupture, even after you start feeling better. In severe cases with airway obstruction or extreme complications, doctors may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, though these are not routinely recommended.

Question 10

How can I prevent infectious mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

You can prevent infectious mononucleosis by avoiding close contact with people who have active mono infections, not sharing drinks, eating utensils, toothbrushes, or lip balm with others, and avoiding kissing someone who has mono or recently recovered from it. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating, helps prevent transmission of Epstein-Barr virus. There is currently no vaccine available for EBV, so behavioral precautions are your best defense. If you live with someone who has mono, use separate towels and wash shared surfaces regularly, and avoid intimate contact until they have fully recovered and are no longer shedding the virus.

Question 11

What can I do at home for infectious mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

At home, you should prioritize rest and sleep as much as your body needs, even if that means taking several weeks off from school or work. Drink plenty of fluids like water, herbal tea, and warm broth to stay hydrated and soothe your sore throat, and eat soft, nutritious foods that are easy to swallow when your throat is inflamed. Apply warm compresses to swollen lymph nodes for comfort, gargle with warm salt water several times daily, and use a humidifier to keep your throat moist. Avoid alcohol completely as it can further stress your already inflamed liver, and gradually return to normal activities only when your energy levels improve, being careful to avoid abdominal trauma that could rupture your spleen.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
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Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

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Infectious Mononucleosis Blood Test

What is Infectious Mononucleosis?

What causes infectious mononucleosis?

What is the best test for infectious mononucleosis?

When should I get tested for infectious mononucleosis?

References

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