How is Monospot test done?

The monospot test is done on a small sample of blood taken from your fingertip or from a vein. The Epstein-Barr antibody test is done on a blood sample taken from your vein.

How accurate is a rapid mono test?

The first is with a rapid mono test, a fingerstick test that runs in less than 10 minutes. However, the rapid mono testing does have some limitations. Accuracy rates can vary from 71-90%, and it misses up to 25% of cases of mono if the test is run too early or too late in the course.

Can you eat before a mono blood test?

Fasting is not required before an EBV antibody test. You can eat and drink as usual both before and after the test.

Can a rapid mono test be wrong?

Monospot tests can be false-negative about 10% to 15% of the time, particularly in the early stages of the illness. You stand an approximately 25% chance of getting a false-negative test result if you are tested within the first week of symptom onset.

What does rapid mono test detect?

A mononucleosis spot (or Monospot) test is a blood test used to determine whether you have contracted the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis. Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of mononucleosis.

Will Monospot test always be positive?

A small number of people with mononucleosis may never have a positive test. The highest number of antibodies occurs 2 to 5 weeks after mono begins. They may be present for up to 1 year. In rare cases, the test is positive even though you do not have mono.

What does Epstein-Barr IgG positive mean?

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.

What can mono be mistaken for?

Mononucleosis is frequently mistaken for other illnesses, such as strep throat, chronic fatigue, or another infection, because the symptoms can overlap, Ramilo says.

Do you test positive for mono forever?

But rarely, mononucleosis symptoms may recur months or even years later. Most cases of mononucleosis are caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Once you’re infected with EBV, you carry the virus — usually in a dormant state — for the rest of your life.