Mono (Mononucleosis) Spot Test

Your doctor will ask you to get this test done if he/she suspects that you have the symptoms of mononucleosis. The characteristic symptoms of the infection are as follows:

• Excessive fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Abdominal discomfort
• Persistent fever
• Headaches
• Sore muscles
• Swelling of lymph nodes or glands in the underarms or neck and tonsils
• Enlarged liver or spleen
• Loss of appetite

It is essential to note that while most individuals tend to show a bunch of these symptoms, in a few individuals, the symptoms are likely to be mild. In some cases, the symptoms may not occur at all or they may be similar to symptoms of strep throat or common flu. 

You do not need to prepare for the test beforehand. Talk to your doctor if you are taking any routine medications or health supplements. This is because some medicines may interfere with the results of this test.

For this test, your doctor will either withdraw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm or prick your finger to get a blood sample. 

Most individuals do not report pain during the process. However, you may feel a pinching or piercing sensation when the needle is inserted. Also, some people tend to feel lightheaded or dizzy after the test. It is nothing to worry about. If you notice an infection at the needle insertion site, please talk to your doctor at the earliest.

Normal results:

The normal reference value for heterophile antibodies is considered to be zero, and for lymphocytes, it is 1000-4800 mcg/L.

Normal results will be expressed as negative, indicating that you may not have mononucleosis. However, in some individuals, the virus may not produce the antibodies that the mono test can detect. In such cases, the results may seem normal but will not be considered accurate. If the doctor suspects the presence of mononucleosis infection despite the normal results, more tests will be done to look for specific antibodies.

Abnormal results:

Having higher-than-normal levels of antibodies in the blood and an elevated level of lymphocytes may mean that you have infectious mononucleosis.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.