Mono Screening in Manassas & Haymarket, VA

Mononucleosis also known as “mono” or “the kissing disease” is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, a type of herpes virus that is transmitted through bodily fluids (typically saliva). According to the CDC, at least one out of four teenagers and young adults who get infected by EBV will develop infectious mononucleosis. If your child has experienced any of the symptoms of mono, it is important that you schedule an appointment for your child to receive the Monospot Test at Pediatricare of Northern Virginia.

Symptoms of Mono

Symptoms usually appear 4-6 weeks after getting infected by the Epstein-Barr virus. The symptoms include:

• extreme fatigue
• fever
• sore throat
• head and body aches
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• swollen liver or spleen or both
• rash

Monospot Test

When a rapid strep test is performed, it is not uncommon for your physician to also complete a routine test for mononucleosis. This condition presents many of the same symptoms as strep throat, which is why testing is usually done for both at the same time.

One way to identify a case of mononucleosis is to check an individual’s antibodies. These antibodies help the body to respond to various diseases, including the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This infection is often the cause of mononucleosis, which means that when the virus is present, the body will respond by producing more and more antibodies. A monospot test is able to detect whether or not there is an elevated number of antibodies present, which in turn leads to a positive or negative conclusion regarding the presence of mono.