Mononucleosis, often called mono, is an illness most commonly caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Blood tests can help investigate it by looking for antibodies, proteins made by the immune system. Different tests look for different kinds of antibodies.
No. Monospot looks for antibodies that can occur with mono but are not specific to EBV. It can miss illness, especially early on or in young children, and can sometimes be positive for other reasons. A result must be considered together with symptoms and other findings.
These tests look for antibodies specifically directed against EBV. The combination of antibody types can help distinguish a recent infection from an older one. Some antibodies remain for life, so a positive result alone does not mean that EBV is causing current symptoms. The timing of the test also matters.

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