From the Guidelines
Yes, mononucleosis (mono) is typically diagnosed with a blood draw. The diagnosis of mono often involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and laboratory tests, with blood tests being a crucial component 1.
Key Blood Tests for Mono Diagnosis
- The "monospot" or heterophile antibody test, which detects antibodies that form during the infection, is commonly used 1.
- A complete blood count (CBC) may be performed to check for an elevated white blood cell count with atypical lymphocytes, characteristic of mono 1.
- More specific tests like the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody test can confirm the diagnosis, as EBV causes about 90% of mono cases 1.
Importance of Blood Testing
Blood testing is necessary because mono symptoms like fever, sore throat, and fatigue can mimic other conditions such as strep throat or influenza 1.
Procedure and Outcome
The blood draw is a simple procedure that provides objective evidence of infection, helping healthcare providers make an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment 1.
From the Research
Diagnosis of Mononucleosis
- Mononucleosis, also known as infectious mononucleosis, is typically diagnosed with a combination of physical examination, medical history, and laboratory tests 2, 3.
- A complete blood count (CBC) with differential is often used as an initial laboratory test to assess for greater than 40% lymphocytes and greater than 10% atypical lymphocytes 2.
- A rapid heterophile antibody test, such as the Monospot test, is also commonly used to diagnose infectious mononucleosis 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The heterophile antibody test has a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 91%, but can have a false-negative result in children younger than five years and in adults during the first week of illness 2.
- Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen-antibody testing is more sensitive and specific, but more expensive and takes longer to process than the rapid heterophile antibody test 2, 4.
Blood Draw for Diagnosis
- A blood draw is typically required to perform the laboratory tests used to diagnose infectious mononucleosis, including the CBC with differential and the heterophile antibody test 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The blood draw is used to collect a serum sample, which is then tested for the presence of heterophile antibodies or Epstein-Barr virus-specific antibodies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The results of the blood tests, in combination with the patient's physical examination and medical history, are used to confirm the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis 2, 3.