Convenient Mono Testing Available to Tampa, FL, Residents
We offer mononucleosis (Mono) testing. The Monospot test is the primary Mono test. This test is also known as the heterophile antibody, mononuclear heterophile, and mononucleosis spot. The test searches for antibodies your body produces after contracting the mono-infection. The Epstein-Barr virus, which also causes infectious mononucleosis, is the source of the viral infection known as mono.
Need for Mono Test
Antibodies in the blood are measured using the Mono test. Before the levels of these antibodies are high enough in the blood for a mono test to be positive, it usually takes 10–14 days. Therefore, even if you arrive before this window and the Mono test returns negative, you could still have Mono. It frequently remains positive for an entire year.
Getting assessed as soon as you start experiencing symptoms is a good idea because the doctor can frequently diagnose your issue even if the test is negative.
Typical signs of mono include:
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Lymph nodes in your armpits and neck that are swollen
- Enlarged tonsils
- Headache
- A skin rash
- A soft, enlarged spleen
Some or all of these symptoms might apply to you, and you should be aware that other infections may also cause these symptoms.
Mono test at our clinic
The Monospot test is a relatively straightforward procedure that typically goes smoothly without any issues. A member of our medical staff who has undergone training will use a lancet to extract a tiny sample of your blood. Your fingertip will feel like it has been pricked very slightly (like when someone checks their sugar). Afterward, they squeeze the finger to extract a tiny droplet of blood for the test.
After that, the region will be covered with a bandage. The blood is blended with a unique solution and put on a slide. Before your appointment is finished, the test results can be reviewed in the office (it usually takes 10 minutes). If you have mono, ten days to nine weeks after infection, the test can detect infectious mononucleosis reliably. Our provider may request extra tests when necessary.
If you have a sore throat, we may perform a strep test to identify whether the painful throat is due to strep throat or is simply a sign of mono. Antibiotics can be used to treat strep throat if it is confirmed, and your sore throat symptoms will be treated. On the other hand, the Mono virus cannot be treated with antibiotics because a viral infection cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Regular self-care at home is all that is required for Mono therapy. Prednisone and other corticosteroids frequently reduce symptoms and boost vitality. You should relax, drink plenty of fluids, and take over-the-counter drugs to lower your fever, as recommended by your doctor. When you have mono, you should take extra precautions to avoid abdominal trauma since it can increase the likelihood that your spleen could rupture. After a few weeks, the majority of healthy people recover from mono. Unfortunately, it could take some people several months to return to their previous energy levels. Saliva spreads the mono virus. If you have the virus, you can easily stop others from getting it by not kissing them and not sharing food, dishes, or drinking glasses.
Mononucleosis affects millions of Americans each year and can cause extreme fatigue, fever, swollen glands, and more. If you’re worried that you might be exhibiting symptoms of mononucleosis and want to get diagnosed as soon as possible so you can begin treatment, look to TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track. We offer convenient mono testing and treatment at our 12 locations throughout the Tampa, Florida, area, so you can get on the path to wellness as soon as possible. All you must do is visit the location nearest you between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to receive the patient-centered care you deserve.
Offering Comprehensive Care
In addition to mono testing, our board-certified providers offer a full battery of testing options and care for a wide array of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. We see patients ages 3 months and older for flu, ear infections, minor lacerations, and much more, and we offer on-site urinalyses, blood tests, and other lab procedures that can help with diagnosis. If testing confirms that mononucleosis is the cause of your symptoms, our team can provide a treatment plan that will help you recover in a timely fashion.
If you’re interested in learning more about the mono testing we offer at our 10 Tampa-area walk-in clinics, contact TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track today or visit the location nearest you. Patients are seen first-come, first-served, though you can reserve your place in line ahead of time using our On My Way system.