A 15-year-old female presents with a sore throat, fever, and fatigue. She also reports loss of appetite and has a rash on her chest. On examination, her tonsils are swollen and covered with white patches. A rapid strep test comes back negative. What is the most likely diagnosis, and what are the next steps?
The symptoms of sore throat, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, rash, and tonsillar exudates are suggestive of infectious mononucleosis, which is most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. A monospot test would be the next step to help confirm the diagnosis. Treatment for mononucleosis is typically supportive, including rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies for pain and fever.