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Mononucleosis test
A number of months ago I got mononucleosis a month or two after a sexual encounter. The symptoms were typical of mono: fever, fatigue, etc. I went to the doctor about these symptoms and they ran a blood test, looking to see if I had mono. I'm not sure what they did but it has something to do with white blood cell count and some kind of liver enzyme. They said the test indicated I had mono, so they put me on a regimen of antibiotics and I got better after a few weeks. However, I've recently learned that Acute HIV Syndrome has symptoms which are very similar to mono, and it often occurs only a few weeks after contraction of the virus.
So my question is: would the blood test they performed have ruled out HIV infection? If I had HIV at the time would they have found out about it (even though I did not express my concerns about HIV status)?
So my question is: would the blood test they performed have ruled out HIV infection? If I had HIV at the time would they have found out about it (even though I did not express my concerns about HIV status)?
Just an aside, your symptoms correspond to mono because the incubation period (i.e. from the time you were exposed until you showed symptoms) is between 30 and 60 days (1-2 months). I think the ARS with HIV occurs sooner.
Antibiotics don't work for Mono because Mono is not caused by bacteria, which is what antibiotics work against. Mono is caused by the Epstein Barr Virus. The treatment is rest, hydration, and possibly some over the counter medicines to treat the symptoms, like sore throat. There is no treatment for it. The diagnostic test is called a Mono-Spot test to test for antibodies made to something similar to the mono virus, called heterophile antibodies.
There actually isn't any antibiotic regimen for mono that works. Mono usually goes on it's own in a few weeks, which is probably what happened. It does sound like your symptoms were due to mono and not acute HIV, but as Teak said, if you have had a risk for HIV, only an HIV test can rule it out.
What was your sexual encounter?
If you tested positive for mono and the regimen they gave you worked, then obviously your symptoms were due to mono and not HIV.
If you tested positive for mono and the regimen they gave you worked, then obviously your symptoms were due to mono and not HIV.
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