What Is the Treatment for Mononucleosis?
The wide range of symptoms associated with mononucleosis can make diagnosis difficult. Your doctor will begin by giving you a complete physical exam. A throat culture may be taken to rule out a condition with similar symptoms called strep throat. The doctor may take a blood sample to look for the presence of abnormal white blood cells. There is a good chance that a special blood test called a “Monospot” also will be done. This test examines your blood for special antibodies that your body produces in response to a viral infection, in an effort to fight off the infection. The results of these tests are not always clear, however, and additional tests may be needed. Time is required for the body to produce antibodies, so a blood test done on the third day of illness, for instance, may be negative — while another blood sample drawn a week later may test positive. Most people recover from mononucleosis on their own within 2 weeks. So the primary prescription for mono is complete bed rest w
