The mono test is rapid and easy to perform, but it is specific for heterophile antibodies, not EBV. It can also be positive in people with lymphoma, lupus, and some gastrointestinal cancers, although it is not used as a diagnostic or screening tool for these conditions.

You stand an approximately 25% chance of getting a false-negative test result if you are tested within the first week of symptom onset. You can have a false negative test if you waited too long to see a healthcare provider because the antibodies rapidly decrease after you’ve been infected for about four weeks.

The monospot test is done to help diagnose a recent mono infection. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody testing is also done to help diagnose mono. The EBV antibody test can help determine whether you have ever been infected with the virus and whether the infection has been recent.

To conduct a mono test, your health care provider will obtain a blood sample by using either a finger prick or a small needle inserted into a vein in your arm. A small amount of blood is then placed onto a slide, test strip, or other testing device.

Accutest® Rapid Mono test is an immunoassay for the Qualitative Detection of Infectious Mononucleosis Heterophile Antibodies in Whole Blood, Serum or Plasma. This test is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis.

This test looks for signs in your blood that you have the Epstein-Barr virus. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common virus that’s part of the herpes virus family. It causes infectious mononucleosis, or mono. Mono is passed from person to person through saliva.

The presence of VCA IgG antibodies indicates that an EBV infection has occurred at some time recently or in the past. The presence of VCA IgM antibodies and the absence of antibodies to EBNA mean that the infection has occurred recently. The presence of antibodies to EBNA means that the infection occurred in the past.

Heterophile antibodies are antibodies induced by external antigens (heterophile antigens). Some cross-react with self-antigens. For example, in rheumatic fever, antibodies against group A streptococcal cell walls can also react with (and thus damage) human heart tissues. These are considered heterophile antibodies.

Mono tests are used to help diagnose a mono infection. Your provider may use a monospot to get fast results. Results are usually ready within an hour.

Accutest® Rapid Mono test is an immunoassay for the Qualitative Detection of Infectious Mononucleosis Heterophile Antibodies in Whole Blood, Serum or Plasma. This test is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. Results in minutes. No age restrictions.

The mononucleosis test is used to help determine whether a person with symptoms has infectious mononucleosis (mono). The test is used to detect proteins in the blood called heterophile antibodies that are produced by the immune system in response to an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, the most common cause of mono.

The level usually increases through the second or third week of illness and, thereafter, can be expected to persist, gradually declining over a 12-month period. Approximately 10% of patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) will have no heterophile antibody and may require Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Throat culture, to check for strep throat, which has similar symptoms to mono. Strep throat is a bacterial infection treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics don’t work on viral infections like mono. Why do I need a mono test? Your health care provider may order one or more mono tests if you or your child has symptoms of mono.