Mononucleosis Tests
EBV Antibody Test, Epstein-Barr Antibody Test, Monospot Test
How It Is Done
The monospot test is done on a small sample of blood taken from your fingertip or from a vein. The Epstein-Barr antibody test is done on a blood sample taken from your vein.
Blood test from a finger stick
For a fingertip sample, the health professional taking the sample will:
- Clean your hand with soap and warm water or an alcohol swab.
- Massage your hand without touching the puncture site.
- Puncture the skin on the side of your middle or ring finger with a small instrument called a lancet.
- Wipe away the first drop of blood.
- Place a small tube called a capillary tube on the puncture site and collect a small amount of blood.
- Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the puncture site as the tube is removed.
- Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage.
Blood test from a vein
The health professional taking a sample of your blood will:
- Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein.
- Clean the needle site with alcohol.
- Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.
- Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.
- Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected.
- Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.
- Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage.
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: December 20, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
 | How It Is Done |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
| Results | |
| What Affects the Test | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |
| Credits | |