Which test is most likely to affect the sports participation of a 17-year-old with fever, malaise, and sore throat?

The test that is most likely to affect the sports participation of a 17-year-old experiencing fever, malaise, and sore throat is EBV serologies. This test checks for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus, which is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as mono.

Infectious mononucleosis can lead to significant symptoms such as severe fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, and can also result in complications like splenomegaly. Due to the potential for splenic rupture, participants are often advised to refrain from sports and physical activities while symptomatic and during the recovery period.

While other tests like a complete blood count can provide information about the immune system and inflammation, they do not specifically diagnose infectious mononucleosis or directly correlate to safe participation in sports. Throat cultures and rapid strep tests are important for diagnosing streptococcal infections which can cause similar symptoms but generally do not carry the same risks concerning spleen complications or prolonged recovery that would impact sports participation as clearly as EBV serologies.