Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis (mono) is a common illness caused by a virus. It can start with a sore throat and swollen glands. And then it can leave you feeling tired and weak for weeks or months. Mono goes away on its own, but rest and good self-care can help you feel better.

Not everyone infected with the virus that causes mono has symptoms. But people ages 15 to 24 are most likely to have obvious symptoms.

Symptoms usually start 4 to 6 weeks after you're exposed to the virus. The most common symptoms of mono are:

• A high fever.
• A severe sore throat.
• Swollen lymph nodes and tonsils.
• Headache and body aches.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Pain in the upper left part of your belly. This may mean that the spleen is enlarged.

These symptoms usually get better in about 1 or 2 months.

As soon as you get over mono, your symptoms will go away for good. But you will always carry the virus that caused it. The virus may become active from time to time without causing any symptoms. When the virus is active, it can be spread to others. Almost everyone has been infected with the mono virus by adulthood.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and possible exposure to mono. Your doctor will also examine you for signs of mono. This may include looking at your throat, checking your skin, and pressing on your belly.

Blood tests to help confirm the diagnosis include:

• Mono tests (including the rapid mono test and EBV antibody test). It's possible for the rapid mono test to come back negative early in the course of the infection (false negative).
• Complete blood count. This may be done to help rule out other infections or complications of mono.

Other tests may be done if complications of mono occur or if the mono tests are negative.

• Liver tests may be done to find out if the virus has affected your liver.
• If the mono test is negative, your doctor may test you to check if you are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), or other organisms. HIV and CMV can cause an illness that's like mono.

Usually only self-care is needed to treat mono.

• Get plenty of rest. Mono could keep you away from school or work for a little while.
• Gargle with salt water or use throat lozenges to soothe your sore throat.
• Take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to reduce fever and relieve a sore throat and headaches.
• Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting. Your spleen may be enlarged, and an impact or straining could cause it to burst.

In severe cases, medicines called corticosteroids may be used to reduce swelling of the throat, tonsils, or spleen. Taking these medicines may also make your symptoms less severe. And your symptoms may not last as long.

Here are some things you can do to ease mono symptoms.

• Get plenty of rest. Stay in bed until you feel well enough to be up.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• For a sore throat, suck on lozenges or gargle with salt water. To make salt water, mix 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), for a sore throat or headache or to lower a fever.

When you have mono:

• Don't play contact sports for 4 weeks. Don't lift anything heavy. Too much activity increases the chance that your spleen may break open (rupture).
• Try not to spread the virus. Don't kiss and don't share dishes, glasses, eating utensils, or toothbrushes for at least a few weeks.
• If you know you have mono, don't donate blood. There's a chance of spreading the virus through blood products.