Glandular fever - Diagnosis 

Diagnosing glandular fever 

Physical examination

In diagnosing glandular fever, your GP will ask you about your symptoms before carrying out a physical examination. They will look for the characteristic signs of glandular fever, such as swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, liver and spleen.

Blood tests

To help confirm the diagnosis, your GP may recommend that you have blood tests. Two types of blood tests can usually help to diagnose glandular fever. These are:

  • an antibody test – the Epstein-Barr virus causes your immune system to release certain antibodies that can be detected through testing
  • white blood cell test – a high number of white blood cells usually indicate the presence of an infection

If you are pregnant, you may be tested for other possible causes of your symptoms, such as rubella or toxoplasmosis, to make sure that there is no risk to your unborn baby.

  • show glossary terms
Antibodies
Antibodies and immunoglobins are proteins in the blood. They are produced by the immune system to fight against bacteria, viruses and disease.
Blood test
During a blood test a sample of blood is taken from a vein using a needle, so it can be examined in a laboratory.
Fever
A high temperature, also known as a fever, is when someone's body temperature goes above the normal 37°C (98.6°F).
Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are small oval tissues that remove unwanted bacteria and particles from the body. They are part of the immune system.

Last reviewed: 25/01/2011

Next review due: 25/01/2013

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ebv said on 21 February 2012

Note that there are several different antibody tests for glandular fever and the timing of the tests is important. What often seems to happen is that the monospot test (which should be carried out soon after infection) is done only after the patient has failed to recover weeks after the initial infection resulting in a false negative result. Make sure your GP explains to you the timing of the antibody tests.

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