Mononucleosis testing and treatment NYC
- SAME day Appt - Evenings - Saturdays.
- Accept most insurances.
- Discount for uninsured ($90).
- Board Certified Doctor.
- Convenient Manhattan Location
*Care provided for 18 years of age and older
Recent Patient Comments
Of all things, my daughter came down with mono! That’s right, the kissing disease! My sister recommended Dr. F and my daughter and I showed up not knowing what to expect. Dr. F made a positive diagnosis and gave my daughter the treatment she needed to get better. I am happy to say that after some bed rest she is back to normal! Great work, everyone!
- Tamara T.
We accept most insurances
- 1199
- Admin. Concepts
- Aetna
- Aftra Health Fund
- AliCare
- Allied Benefit
- Allstate
- Amalgamated Life
- Ameriben
- Anthem
- Assurant
- Atlantis
- Beech Street
- Benefit Concepts
- Blue Cross
- Can Assistance
- CareFirst
- CD PHP
- Celtic
- Cigna
- CISI
- Companion Life
- Consolidated
- Coventry
- Delta Health
- EBS-RMSCO
- Emblem Health
- Empire Plan
- Fallon
- First health
- FreeLancers
- Frontier International
- GEHA
- GHI
- GHMSI
- Gilsbar
- Global Excel
- Golden Rule
- Great West
- Guardian
- Harrington Health
- Hartford
- HCC medical
- Health Choice
- Health Equity
- Health plan Admin.
- Healthnet
- HPHC
- IMG
FAQs
- What is mononucleosis?
- Am I at risk?
- Is it rare?
- How does it spread?
- What are the symptoms?
- What if I don’t have all of the above symptoms?
- What are some of the potential complications?
- How is mononucleosis diagnosed?
- What should I expect if I am diagnosed with mononucleosis?
- What can I do as a home remedy?
- What are some of the other treatment options?
- When should I see a doctor?
- What should I expect at the doctor's office?
- When can I expect to feel better?
- When can I go back to school or work?
What is mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis is also known as “mono” or the “kissing disease.” It is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus can lead to long-lasting fatigue, along with sore throat, low-grade fever, headaches, and other symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no cure for mononucleosis, so the best option currently is to treat the symptoms.
Am I at risk?
It is impossible to tell without a lab test if you’ve ever been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus. Once infected, a person will become a lifelong carrier of the virus. The virus can lay dormant forever or reactivate periodically. When the virus becomes reactivated, that person is capable of spreading the virus again. This can occur months or even years after their initial infection and without any symptoms.
If you are in intimate contact with others, you are at risk. However, the vast majority of those that become infected never show symptoms.
Is it rare?
It is estimated that between 90-95% of the world’s population have been exposed to it at some point in their lives. If exposed as a child, the majority of people show mild symptoms or none at all. You are most likely to show symptoms if you are infected for the first time as an adolescent or adult.
How does it spread?
Saliva is the primary route of transmission. Despite its namesake though, kissing is not the only way to transfer saliva. Sharing utensils, drinking glasses, or toothbrushes can also transfer the virus from one person to another. There is some research that has shown that mononucleosis can also be spread through sexual transmission. Specifically, the virus has been found in the skin cells in the uterus and semen. Lastly, although breast feeding has not been shown to be a common way to spread mononucleosis, more research is warranted to provide a conclusive answer.
What are the symptoms?
The following symptoms usually appear 4-8 weeks after infection, this is known as the incubation period. Once the symptoms begin, they can persist for weeks or months:
1. Sore throat
2. Fever
3. Fatigue
4. Enlarged lymph nodes
5. Body aches
6. Headache
7. Enlarged spleen
Enlarged lymph nodes are usually the first symptom to be noted. They are the most enlarged in the first week, subsiding a few weeks later. On average, most other symptoms resolve within a month. However, fatigue has been found to persist in some patients for up to six months.
If you have the above symptoms and you’d like to see a medical professional, contact the Medical Clinic of New York to make an appointment. There are two convenient ways to schedule an appointment with the Medical Clinic of New York: online or by phone. You can use our simple online scheduling system web check in and let us know when you’re visiting.
What if I don’t have all of the above symptoms?
All cases will vary on an indiviual basis. For example, in some of the more mild infections, the person will only have a sore throat and enlarged lymph nodes. Another presentation of mononucleosis, referred to as the “typhoidal form”, includes a fever and enlarged lymph nodes without a sore throat. Lastly, very young and older people may not exhibit some of the above symptoms at all and will only have a fever or sore throat.
Mononucleosis can also present itself in other, more rare ways. Some examples of these rare symptoms include neurological symptoms, liver abnormalities and inflammation in other organ systems due to a Epstein-Barr infection.
What are some of the potential complications?
An enlarged spleen puts you at greater risk for rupture if you are hit in a contact sport, involved in an accident or are lifting heavy objects. Although this is a rare complication, a ruptured spleen can be life-threatening and requires emergency medical attention. A warning sign is severe pain on the upper left side of your abdomen. If you are experiencing this, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Other potential complications include a rash from antibiotic use or airway obstruction from severely enlarged lymph nodes and increased production of mucus. Airway obstruction can be life-threatening and if you feel as though you are having difficulty breathing, call 911.
How is mononucleosis diagnosed?
Once you do seek medical attention, mononucleosis can be diagnosed upon physical examination, description of symptoms, as well as from a blood test. You should expect a doctor to feel your throat (check for enlarged lymph nodes), abdomen (check for enlarged spleen), and ask questions about your medical history and current symptoms.
To diagnose the infection definitively, your doctor may perform one of the following blood tests. The most common are a monospot test or a Epstein-Barr virus antibody test. The monospot test has been shown to come back negative in the first weeks of the infection even if you do have mononucleosis. As a way to exclude other viruses, your doctor may do a CBC(complete blood count). Lastly, to check for any possible liver damage, your doctor may want to perform liver function tests.
What should I expect if I am diagnosed with mononucleosis?
You should expect to feel fatigued and “under the weather” for at least one to two weeks. Most people recover within a month; however, symptoms’ severity and duration vary by individual.
The most common symptoms are:
1. Sore throat
2. Fever (greater than 100ºF)
3. Fatigue
4. Enlarged lymph nodes
5. Body aches
6. Headache
7. Enlarged spleen
What can I do as a home remedy?
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do at home to treat the virus itself; however, you can help relieve the symptoms with the following treatment options:
1. Adequate rest - Severe fatigue is often the most disruptive symptom of mononucleosis. Getting enough rest allows your body to devote the energy to your immune system to fight the virus.
2. Throat lozenges, gargling with salt water, soups or hot water-based drinks like tea with honey will sooth a sore throat.
3. Ibuprofen(sold as Advil® or Motrin®) or Acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol®) can help ease body aches and fever.
4. Stay hydrated and attempt to continue to eat normally. Although an illness can cause loss of appetite, maintaining good nutrition will help you recover faster. Also, it is vital to stay adequately hydrated if you are taking ibuprofen to protect your kidneys. Hydration also is beneficial for your body’s general functioning. Every cell in your body needs water, and will work better when you are hydrated.
What are some of the other treatment options?
The most effective treatment options are those listed above. They will help alleviate your symptoms while the virus runs its course.
Other possible treatments that require your doctor’s prescription have had mixed results. Some doctors may prescribe corticosteroids, but this practice is controversial and has not shown to lessen the duration or severity of the infection. In some cases corticosteroids do bring down lymph node swelling, but more data is necessary to warrant their regular use.
A possible anti-viral treatment, Acyclovir, can also be prescribed. Although it does prevent the virus from replicating, it has not been shown to have an effect on duration of the infection once it has begun and does not affect the symptoms.
When should I see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you are nervous or worried about your sickness as well as to get a definitive diagnosis. Although you may believe that your symptoms are because of mononucleosis, without the proper tests and your doctor’s professional opinion, you could easily misdiagnose yourself.
If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, you should contact the Urgent Care NYC online or at (212) 696-5900 to schedule an appointment.
What should I expect at the doctor’s office?
You should expect a doctor to feel your throat(to check for enlarged lymph nodes) and abdomen (to check for an enlarged spleen), as well as ask questions about your medical history and current symptoms.
You should also expect to have blood drawn to perform the following tests: a monospot test* or a Epstein-Barr virus antibody test. As a way to exclude other viruses, your doctor may do a CBC (complete blood count). Lastly, to check for any possible liver damage, your doctor may also want to perform liver function tests.
* In the first weeks of the infection, the monospot test has been shown to occasionally give a negative result when patients do in fact have mononucleosis.
When can I expect to feel better?
Recovery varies from person to person, but most people feel better within two to four weeks. Adequate rest, hydration and proper nutrition are strongly recommended to speed the recovery process. Most often, there are no long-term complications from mononucleosis.
When can I go back to school or work?
You can return to your normal routine when you feel capable. However, keep in mind that an enlarged spleen can persist for several months. You should avoid contact sports or heavy lifting to decrease the risk of spleen rupture.