Suggest Treatment For Extreme Fatigue, Skin Rash And Concussion After Fainting Spell
My grandson who is 19 years old and a college freshman recently experienced extreme fatigue and a skin rash. There were blood tests taken and analyzed plus and EKG
and an MRI. All ahowed no abnormalities. It was thought that he had suffered a concussion when he passed out in a class in October and hit his head.
Fortunately, after several days of complete rest at home he is fine and has been given medical permission to return to school with some limits on physical activities.
I was wondering whether the blood tests he had would show whether he had mononucleosis? I understand that the treatment for mono is the same as for a concussion
so I guess it might be considered immaterial but could you give an opinion as to what a blood test for possible anemia might show in this case?
Thank you very much.
A specific test is done for mononucleosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magic. Unless a test for mononucleosis was specifically ordered, it is not routinely done. If the reason he had the blood tests, however, was extreme fatigue and a rash, it is very possible that they did order this test, since these are symptoms of mono.
I'm not clear on the diagnosis of concussion. Did he pass out in class because of the illness (fatigue and rash) and hit his head, so that all those tests (MRI, blood, EKG) were done? As far as treatment for concussion and mono, it is true that rest and limited physical activities are recommended in both cases, although for different reasons.
Most likely they did a standard blood test panel, which would include tests of liver and kidney function, blood count (which would look for anemia among other things), blood sugar, and other tests that look for abnormalities that could cause an episode of passing out. They might have added a mono test, given his symptoms of fatigue and rash.
The blood count would definitely be done, because anemia from blood loss (or other conditions) could cause a person to pass out. Since everything was reported okay, this means he is not anemic. Sometimes changes in the white blood cells, which are also checked in the blood count, can suggest the presence of mononucleosis.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
my grandson has vaso-vagal syndrome which causes him to pass out (very
rarely) when he is under a lot of pressure or skips meals or doesn't get
sufficient rest.
Thanks for the information
Detailed Answer:
That makes things clearer! I hope he is doing well now.
out (very rarely) when he is under a lot of pressure, skips meals or doesn't
get sufficient.
Would knowing this affect the blood tests ordered.
Thank you.
Probably no effect on blood tests ordered
Detailed Answer:
Most likely with the initial evaluation it would not have mattered. If they were evaluating him for a concussion and weren't sure why he had passed out, they would want all those studies. If they felt very confident that he passed out from vasovagal syndrome, they might not have ordered all the tests, but my guess is they would err on the side of caution and be sure nothing more serious had caused the event.