DiagnosisPhysical examYour doctor may suspect mononucleosis based on your signs and symptoms, how long they've lasted, and a physical exam. He or she will look for signs such as swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, liver or spleen, and consider how these signs relate to the symptoms you describe. Show
Blood tests
TreatmentThere's no specific therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mainly involves taking care of yourself, such as getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids. You may take over-the-counter pain relievers to treat a fever or sore throat. Medications
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Wait to return to sports and some other activitiesMost signs and symptoms of mononucleosis ease within a few weeks, but it may be two to three months before you feel completely normal. The more rest you get, the sooner you should recover. Returning to your usual schedule too soon can increase the risk of a relapse. To help you avoid the risk of rupturing your spleen, your doctor may suggest that you wait about one month before returning to vigorous activities, heavy lifting, roughhousing or contact sports. Rupture of the spleen results in severe bleeding and is a medical emergency. Ask your doctor about when it's safe for you to resume your normal level of activity. Your doctor may recommend a gradual exercise program to help you rebuild your strength as you recover. Coping and supportMononucleosis can last weeks, keeping you at home as you recover. Be patient with your body as it fights the infection. For young people, having mononucleosis will mean some missed activities — classes, team practices and parties. Without a doubt, you'll need to take it easy for a while. Students need to let their schools know they are recovering from mononucleosis and may need special considerations to keep up with their work. If you have mononucleosis, you don't necessarily need to be quarantined. Many people are already immune to the Epstein-Barr virus because of exposure as children. But plan on staying home from school and other activities until you're feeling better. Seek the help of friends and family as you recover from mononucleosis. College students should also contact the campus student health center staff for assistance or treatment, if necessary. Preparing for your appointmentIf you suspect you have mononucleosis, see your family doctor. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor. What you can do
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For mononucleosis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:
Dec. 22, 2020 Can you self diagnose mono?Self-Checks
You probably won't immediately recognize that you or your child has mono because the early symptoms are like those of a cold, the flu, or strep throat. It is important not to rely on self-diagnosis for mono because the symptoms are similar to those of illnesses that need a different course of treatment.
How do you confirm you have mono?A lot of doctors will do blood tests to confirm mono, though. If someone has symptoms of mono, the doctor may order a complete blood count to look at the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that shows specific changes when a person has mono. A doctor may also order a blood test called a monospot.
Is there a quick test for mono?Your provider may use a monospot to get fast results. Results are usually ready within an hour. But this test has a high rate of false negatives. So monospot tests are often ordered with an EVB antibody test and other tests that look for infections.
How do you rule out mono?Mononucleosis Diagnosis
They can confirm a mono diagnosis with blood tests including: Complete blood count (CBC). Your doctor will look at your white blood cells, including whether any of them are unusual or whether you have more than usual. Antibody tests.
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