Mononucleosis (Mono) Tests
Reviewed
Mononucleosis (mono) tests help diagnose an infection caused by viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The main tests are the monospot test (rapid antibody test) and the EBV antibody test (which distinguishes recent from past infection). These are laboratory tests, not screening assessments. Results are interpreted by your healthcare provider along with your symptoms.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for a fingertip blood test or blood test from a vein.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- The monospot test has a high rate of false negatives – a negative result does not rule out mono.
- EBV antibody test results must be interpreted in the context of your symptoms and medical history.
- Test results are not diagnostic alone; your healthcare provider will interpret them along with your symptoms.
What to do next
If you are diagnosed with mono: Get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and use lozenges to soothe a sore throat. Take over-the-counter medicines for pain and fever, but do not give aspirin to children or teens (risk of Reye syndrome). Antibiotics are not used to treat viral mono. If you also have a bacterial infection, do not take penicillin antibiotics (e.g., ampicillin, amoxicillin) as they may cause a rash. Avoid intense exercise and contact sports for about a month to protect the spleen. If you have severe symptoms, your provider may recommend additional treatment based on organ involvement. Follow up with your healthcare provider for any questions or if symptoms worsen.
Evidence source
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Mononucleosis (Mono) Tests