What does mononucleosis look like in the throat of someone who has already had their tonsils taken out?

The throat is red just as if there were tonsils present.
The whitish coating of the tonsils only occur in about 1/3 of the cases with tonsils, the rest are red.

"The initial symptoms of mono are:

* a general lack of energy or malaise,
* a loss of appetite, and
* chills.

These initial symptoms can last from one to three days before the more intense symptoms of the illness begin. The more common intense symptoms include:

* a severe sore throat,
* fever, and
* swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck area.

It is typically the severe sore throat that prompts people to contact their doctor.

What are the signs of mono?

In addition to a fever from 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the most common signs of mono are:

* a very reddened throat and tonsils and
* swollen lymph glands in the neck.

The tonsils have a whitish coating in at least one-third of the cases. The spleen (sometimes referred to as the body's biggest lymph node), is an organ found in the left upper abdomen underneath the rib cage which becomes enlarged or swollen in about 50% of patients with mono. An enlarged liver may also occur. About 5% of patients have a splotchy red rash over the body, which has a similar appearance to the rash of measles."
.........................................

How can I find out if I have Mono?

"The diagnosis of mono is suspected by the doctor based on the above symptoms and signs. Mono is confirmed by blood tests that may also include tests to exclude other possible causes of the symptoms, such as tests to rule out Strep throat. Early in the course of the mono, blood tests show an increase in a type of white blood cell (lymphocyte). Some of these increased lymphocytes are unusual or "atypical" lymphocytes, which suggest mono.

More specific blood tests, such as the monospot and heterophile antibody tests, can confirm the diagnosis of mono. These tests rely on the body's immune system to make measurable antibodies against the EBV. Unfortunately, the antibodies may not become detectable until the second or third weeks of the illness. A blood chemistry test may reveal abnormalities in liver function. "

http://www.medicinenet.com/infectious_mo...

You would need a blood test to see if you have Mono.