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A person is suspected of mononucleosis when symptoms like fatigue, sore throat, fever, and swollen glands emerge. Some symptoms like liver enlargement, nausea, swollen spleen, diarrhea, headache, body aches, and respiratory symptoms may also arise and be indicative of this condition. Mononucleosis is otherwise known as Epstein Barr or glandular fever.

The patient’s age will be considered for diagnosis. An estimate of 50% among the children will develop mononucleosis before five years of age. Symptoms for mononucleosis can be mild or even none among children and babies.

The duration of illness is also considered for diagnosis. The cold or flu brought about by mononucleosis usually lasts longer, around 2 to 4 weeks, unlike common flu or cold lasting for only a few days. After the initial infection, some infected individuals may have recurrent symptoms. An example is a fatigue that lasts for several weeks or even months.

Laboratory examinations that seek to find a typical lymphocytes (a type of WBC) in the bloodstream, a total WBC count increase, and presence of Epstein Barr Virus antibodies will confirm the diagnosis of mononucleosis.

The mono spot test is an example of a mononucleosis antibody exam. The test is done to confirm the presence of heterophile antibodies in the bloodstream. During the first month of mononucleosis infection, heterophile antibodies appear but decreases after 4 weeks or so. These antibodies do not show up sometimes during the initial week of infection, and around 50% only of primarily Epstein Barr infected children may have the heterophile antibodies.

Due to mono spot test limitations, a need for additional examinations to diagnose mononucleosis may be required. These further antibody tests are important especially for expectant mothers and patients with compromised immune system. Major mono diagnostic antibody test includes: VCA-IgG (determine an individuals for viral susceptibility and recent infection); EA-D, VCA-IgA, VCA-IgM and EBNA (determines a recent viral infection). Further diagnostic exams to determine illness extent are platelet count, liver function test, and swab test for strep throat.

If and when the mono diagnostic tests yield negative results, then different tests should be done to diagnose the real condition of the mono signs and symptoms mimicry like cytomegalovirus, hepatitis, HIV, toxoplasmosis, and adenovirus.

Positive mono diagnosis will require increase pure water consumption, rest, as well as, intake of supplemental nutrients, diet, essential oils, homeopathics, and herbs to boost immune system.