Glandular Fever (Mono) Testing and Treatment

Many young adults become infected with the kissing disease, or infectious mononucleosis virus. The ‘clinical’ diagnosis of mono is suggested based on the patient’s age and the following symptoms; sore throat from swollen tonsils/tonsillitis, fever and inflammation of the lymph nodes. Some of these swollen glands are located in the neck, armpits and groin.

The most commonly used test for infectious mononucleosis is the ‘Monospot’ test. This test provides extremely fast results so it is used most often. 80% to 90% of the people infected with mono will have positive test results with the use of the Monospot test. However, this test will frequently display a false negative test result in the early stage of mono infection and in rather young children. The Monospot test will not show a positive result until the patient has had infectious mononucleosis for approximately two weeks. These first two weeks are an incubation period. 

If there is a positive Monospot test result accompanied by symptoms commonly associated with mononucleosis, a diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis is eminent. Other test results that are affected by infectious mononucleosis include the white blood cell count. This test will show an elevated number of atypical lymphocytes. The Heterophil antibodies, that trigger the Monospot’s positive result, will actually decline four weeks into the illness. As these antibodies decline the Monospot test will have a negative result. Liver function blood tests will show elevated liver enzymes in approximately 90% of the mononucleosis infection cases. However, very few of the patients infected with mono will suffer from jaundice.

A negative Monospot test means that the patient has recently contracted the illness and it is too early to detect or doesn’t have the infectious mononucleosis disease. If symptoms persist, the doctor may order repeat Monospot tests. Young children and infants' immune systems don’t make the heterophil antibodies when they become infected with EBV. Since these antibodies are used to determine a positive result in the Monospot tests, tests that are more specific will be used to confirm their diagnoses.

If the Monospot test results are negative, and the doctor still suspects a mononucleosis infection, a combination of other tests will need to be performed. EBV Antibody Tests & Interpretation Antibody tests have the ability to measure the presence and concentration of no less than six of the specific EBV antibodies. With the evaluation of these test results, the stage of the EBV infection can actually be determined.

Glandular Fever/Mononucleosis Treatment

Unfortunately, because this infection is a virus, antibiotics will not help to cure it. However, the symptoms can be treated with NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, and if you are 16 or older aspirin. These NSAIDs will help relieve symptoms such as fever, inflammation, sore throat and body aches. Most people infected with this virus suffer with chronic fatigue and will generally require more rest than usual.