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Suggest Treatment For Epstein-Barr Virus Infection While Suffering From Chronic Neurologic Disorder
Question: I've had neurological symptoms for over a year now with fatigue. It continues to progress. I recently tested positive for mono, but have no sore throat and fever.
My husband wants me to go to the emergency room. I have an appointment with a neurologist in May. Should I just wait?
My husband wants me to go to the emergency room. I have an appointment with a neurologist in May. Should I just wait?
Brief Answer:
Should wait.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description I do not really see any reason to go to the emergency room. You say the symptoms have been present for about a year now. So they do not represent a threatening acute disease which is what the ER is for.
Even if you chose to go you would most likely be sent back home. If you hadn't had any tests at all they might make some basic test like blood count, glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel, but since you were tested for something as specific as mono I would assume you already have had those basic tests.
The fact that you were tested positive for mono doesn't really add much to the urgency level. There is not any specific treatment for mono apart from bed rest and fluids anyway. Since you have no sore throat or fever the positive test may be as a result of an infection which has happened months ago, antibodies (which are what the test detects) may remain in the blood for many months after the acute infection, so not much to be done about that.
So while admittedly waiting until May may be frustrating for you and your husband, I would wait for the appointment. I could understand trying to get an earlier appointment, but going to the ER shouldn't bring much benefit really.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Should wait.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description I do not really see any reason to go to the emergency room. You say the symptoms have been present for about a year now. So they do not represent a threatening acute disease which is what the ER is for.
Even if you chose to go you would most likely be sent back home. If you hadn't had any tests at all they might make some basic test like blood count, glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel, but since you were tested for something as specific as mono I would assume you already have had those basic tests.
The fact that you were tested positive for mono doesn't really add much to the urgency level. There is not any specific treatment for mono apart from bed rest and fluids anyway. Since you have no sore throat or fever the positive test may be as a result of an infection which has happened months ago, antibodies (which are what the test detects) may remain in the blood for many months after the acute infection, so not much to be done about that.
So while admittedly waiting until May may be frustrating for you and your husband, I would wait for the appointment. I could understand trying to get an earlier appointment, but going to the ER shouldn't bring much benefit really.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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