Final answer:
Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is diagnosed through detection of heterophile antibodies using a peripheral blood smear and confirmed with a mono test kit. The disease is often caused by Epstein-Barr virus or Cytomegalovirus, and in complex cases associated with Burkitt lymphoma, additional diagnostic measures are taken.
Step-by-step explanation:
Infectious mononucleosis, often simply called mono, is commonly diagnosed by detecting heterophile antibodies in the blood, which are associated with infection by the Epstein-Barr virus or Cytomegalovirus. These antibodies can be detected using a peripheral blood smear, which involves staining blood samples with Wright's-Giemsa stain and examining them under a microscope for characteristic changes in white blood cells and for the presence of antibodies. Confirmation of the diagnosis can be done using a mono test kit, which qualitatively assesses the presence of heterophile antibodies. In more complex cases, such as those involving Burkitt lymphoma, a type of cancer associated with Epstein-Barr virus, further diagnostic tests, including biopsies and CT scans, are used to stage the disease and guide treatment decisions.