The symptoms can be mild in babies and younger children.

This can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis if you go in for a medical evaluation.

You should see your healthcare provider immediately if you develop any of the serious symptoms of mono.

mononucleosis diagnosis

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Your healthcare provider will usually order acomplete blood count(CBC) and an antibody test.

If you have a sore throat, it is likely that a rapid strep test will be performed.

Theselymphocyteswill have an atypical appearance when examined with a microscope.

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Antibodies are produced by your immune system to fight infections.

Themonospot(heterophile antibody test) is an older test that is commonly used to make the mono diagnosis.

A positive monospot test accompanied by the symptoms of mono helps in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis.

However, the CDC says the monospot test is no longer recommended because it produces too many inaccurate results.

You may be tested for cytomegalovirus or Toxoplasma antibodies.

Illness with CMV andToxoplasma gondiimay be designated as infectious mononucleosis or called a mono-like illness.

As with EBV mono, only supportive treatment is recommended.

Mono is responsible for only about 2% of cases of severesore throatin adults.

Very young children who become infected with EBV may not have symptoms at all.

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