Medication
Treatment. There's no specific therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mainly involves taking care of yourself, such as getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids.
Procedures
These medications won’t get rid of the virus, but they can help make you more comfortable:
- aspirin (but don’t give it to children and teens)
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- ibuprofen (Advil)
Self-care
Treatment for mononucleosis may include:
- Rest (to give the body's immune system time to destroy the virus)
- Drink plenty of liquids
- Take over-the-counter medicine as directed for discomfort and fever
- Corticosteroids only when necessary to reduce swelling of the throat and tonsils
Nutrition
If your child has the symptoms above, get them checked out so you can find out whether it’s mono or another illness (more than one thing can cause a fever and fatigue, after all). There is no cure for mono, so in most cases your kid will just be advised ...
How do I choose the best treatment for mononucleosis?
What medication can help with mononucleosis?
How to get over mononucleosis?
How to cure mononucleosis?
How long does mono take to treat?
Most people get better in two to four weeks; however, some people may feel fatigued for several more weeks. Occasionally, the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis can last for six months or longer.
What is mono and is it curable?
Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it spreads easily through bodily fluids like saliva. For most people, mono isn't serious, and it improves without treatment. Still, extreme fatigue, body aches and other symptoms can interfere with school, work and daily life.
Can mono be cured on its own?
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.
What are the four stages of mono?
The timeline can vary between individuals. The first stage (prodrome) can last up to two weeks. The second stage of mono (acute phase) can last up to six weeks. The final and third stage of mono (convalescent stage), can last several months.
How serious is mono?
In general, mononucleosis is not considered a serious illness. However, mononucleosis can lead to significant loss of time from school or work due to profound fatigue and, on rare occasion, can cause severe or even life-threatening illness.
How can I get rid of mono fast?
There's no specific therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mainly involves taking care of yourself, such as getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids.
How do people get mono?
Overview. Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the kissing disease. The virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus) is spread through saliva. You can get it through kissing, but you can also be exposed by sharing a glass or food utensils with someone who has mono.
What causes mono to flare up?
Most people have mono only once. In rare cases, the symptoms can recur due to a reactivation of EBV. If mono returns, the virus is in your saliva, but you probably won't have any symptoms unless you have a weakened immune system. In rare instances, mono can lead to what's called chronic active EBV (CAEBV) disease .
How long does it take to recover from mononucleosis?
Most people start to recover from mononucleosis within 2 weeks, though some symptoms, such as fatigue, can take 3-4 weeks or even longer to go away. So a common treatment plan for mono is rest with a gradual return to normal activity. The goal is to ease your symptoms and treat any complications that happen.
How long does it take for a monospot test to show antibodies?
This test isn’t always accurate, especially in younger children, and it takes several days for it to show the presence of the antibodies after a child starts to feel ill. The “monospot” is one test that checks for heterophile antibodies. The results of these tests are not always clear, so you may need even more tests.
Can you take aspirin with mono?
In case mono has affected your liver, check with your doctor before you take acetaminophen. Don’t give aspirin to children or teens. It’s been linked to a disease called Reye's syndrome, a serious illness that can be life-threatening. Call 911 if you or your child is having any trouble breathing.
Can you get an EBV test for mono?
You may also get an EBV test if you don’t seem to have a typical case of mono. This blood test checks for Epstein Barr virus. Doctors usually don’ t need EBV test results to diagnose mono. But it can help them find out if the Epstein Barr virus is to blame.
How long does mono last?
Symptoms of mono vary, and they can be mild or severe. They tend to come on gradually. If you get sick with mono, it will probably happen four to six weeks after you come in contact with EBV. These symptoms may last for four weeks or longer: Enlarged spleen or liver. Extreme fatigue.
How common is mono?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that causes mono is extremely common. Around 90% of Americans are infected with it by age 35. Not everyone who has the virus develops mono symptoms — some people only carry the virus.
What is the kissing disease?
Mononucleosis is an illness that commonly affects teenagers and young adults, but can affect children as well. Viruses, most commonly Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and certain infections cause the illness. Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it spreads easily through bodily fluids like saliva. For most people, mono isn’t serious, and ...
Why is mono called the kissing disease?
Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it spreads easily through bodily fluids like saliva. For most people, mono isn’t serious, and it improves without treatment. Still, extreme fatigue, body aches and other symptoms can interfere with school, work and daily life.
What is the best medicine for enlarged spleen?
These drugs include ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®). Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) also works. Sore throat soothers: You can gargle with salt water and use throat lozenges. Avoiding sports: Physical activity can put too much pressure on an enlarged spleen, increasing the risk of rupture.
Does mono work against other viruses?
Antibiotics to fight bacterial infection and antiviral medications to kill other viruses don’t work against mono. Instead, treatments focus on helping you feel better by relieving symptoms. Your care might include: Rest: Mono makes you very tired. Sleep helps your body fight infection.
Can mono cause spleen bleed?
This gland in the upper left abdomen (belly) helps filter blood. If your spleen bursts, it can bleed into your abdomen.
What are the complications of mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis can also result in less common complications, including: Anemia — a decrease in red blood cells and in hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein in red blood cells. Thrombocytopenia — a low count of platelets, which are blood cells involved in clotting.
How does mononucleosis spread?
Mononucleosis is spread through saliva. If you're infected, you can help prevent spreading the virus to others by not kissing them and by not sharing food, dishes, glasses and utensils until several days after your fever has improved — and even longer, if possible.
How do you know if you have mononucleosis?
Signs and symptoms of mononucleosis may include: Fatigue. Sore throat, perhaps misdiagnosed as strep throat , that doesn't get better after treatment with antibiotics. Fever. Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits. Swollen tonsils. Headache. Skin rash. Soft, swollen spleen.
Can you get mononucleosis if you are a teenager?
You're most likely to get mononucleosis with all the signs and symptoms if you're a teen or young adult. Young children usually have few symptoms, and the infection often goes undiagnosed. If you have mononucleosis, it's important to be careful of certain complications such as an enlarged spleen.
Can you get mono from kissing?
Overview. Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the kissing disease. The virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus) is spread through saliva. You can get it through kissing, but you can also be exposed by sharing a glass or food utensils with someone who has mono.
What is the most common cause of mononucleosis?
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can also cause this disease. It is common among teenagers and young adults, especially college students. At least one out of four teenagers and young adults who get infected with EBV will develop infectious mononucleosis.
How long does it take for a person to get better from mononucleosis?
For some people, their liver or spleen or both may remain enlarged even after their fatigue ends. Most people get better in two to four weeks; however, some people may feel fatigued for several more weeks. Occasionally, the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis can last for six months or longer.
How long does it take for mononucleosis to show?
Typical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually appear four to six weeks after you get infected with EBV. Symptoms may develop slowly and may not all occur at the same time.
Can you take penicillin for mononucleosis?
If you have infectious mononucleosis, you should not take penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin or amoxicillin. Based on the severity of the symptoms, a healthcare provider may recommend treatment of specific organ systems affected by infectious mononucleosis.
Can you test for mononucleosis?
Laboratory tests are not usually needed to diagnose infectious mononucleosis. However, specific laboratory tests may be needed to identify the cause of illness in people who do not have a typical case of infectious mononucleosis. The blood work of patients who have infectious mononucleosis due to EBV infection may show—.
How to get rid of mono?
It’s very important to rest and relax if you have mono. Stay home from work or school. Cancel your appointments. Resting helps your body recover and prevent any complications. Not going out also helps prevent transmitting the virus to others.
What are the symptoms of mono?
Treating symptoms. Treatment usually involves treating symptoms like fever or a sore throat. Mono can cause a person to be prone to secondary bacterial infections. In this case, antibiotics can treat a bacterial: sinus infection. strep infection. tonsil infection.
How long does it take for a spleen to heal from mono?
An enlarged spleen may take up to eight weeks to go back to normal. Mono may make you feel unwell for up to two months. However, it’s considered rare for symptoms to last longer than six weeks. Rare complications of mono, like an injured or ruptured spleen, can take up to three months to heal.
What is the spleen in a mono infection?
The spleen is an organ in your abdomen that stores and filters blood. Almost half of people with a mono infection have an enlarged spleen. Enlarged spleen symptoms include: left side abdomen pain. back pain. feeling full. fatigue. shortness of breath.
How do you get mono?
Mono ( mononucleosis) is also called infectious mononucleosis. This disease is sometimes referred to as the “kissing disease” because you can get it through saliva. You can also contract mono by sharing drinking glasses , eating utensils, and through sneezes and coughs. Some kinds of mono are also transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids.
Can you get mono from kissing?
You can get mono in more ways than just kissing someone. You may not be able to prevent getting this viral illness. Mono is contagious even if you don’t have symptoms. You may not know you have it. Once you have symptoms, help your recovery and avoid transmitting mono to others by staying home.
Can you prevent mono?
You can’t always prevent getting mono. Someone who has the virus and doesn’t yet have symptoms might not know they have it. Lower your risk for contracting mono and other viral illnesses with these tips:
How to treat mononucleosis?
Treatment for mononucleosis may include: Rest (to give the body's immune system time to destroy the virus) Drink plenty of liquids. Take over-the-counter medicine as directed for discomfort and fever. Corticosteroids only when necessary to reduce swelling of the throat and tonsils.
What is the cause of mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A variant of mononucleosis that is milder than EBV infectious mononucleosis is caused by the cytomegalovirus (CMV). Both EBV and CMV are members of the herpes virus family: In the U.S., most adults between 35 and 40 years old have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus.
How long does it take for mononucleosis to show?
It’s often spread through contact with infected saliva from the mouth. Symptoms can take between 4 to 6 weeks to appear and usually do not last beyond 4 months.
What test is used to determine if you have infectious mononucleosis?
White blood cell count, which is not diagnostic, but the presence of certain types of white blood cells (lymphocytes) may support the diagnosis. Heterophile antibody test or monospot test, which, if positive, indicates infectious mononucleosis.
Can children get mononucleosis?
However, uninfected adolescents and young adults who come in contact with the virus may develop an illness very similar to infectious mononucleosis.
Does Epstein-Barr cause mononucleosis?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may cause infectious mononucleosis in adolescents and young adults. However, even after the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis have disappeared, the EBV will remain dormant in the throat and blood cells during that person's lifetime.
What is mononucleosis?
Mono, or infectious mononucleosis, refers to a group of symptoms usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It typically occurs in teenagers, but you can get it at any age. The virus is spread through saliva, which is why some people refer to it as “the kissing disease.”. Many people develop EBV infections as children after age 1.
What test is used to diagnose mononucleosis?
Lab tests are the second part of a doctor’s diagnosis. One of the most reliable ways to diagnose mononucleosis is the monospot test (or heterophile test). This blood test looks for antibodies —these are proteins your immune system produces in response to harmful elements.
How is mononucleosis spread?
Mononucleosis is usually caused by EBV. The virus is spread through direct contact with saliva from the mouth of an infected person or other bodily fluids , such as blood. It’s also spread through sexual contact and organ transplantation.
How long does mono last?
It lasts for 4 to 6 weeks. The signs and symptoms of mono typically last for 1 to 2 months. The incubation period may be shorter in young children.
How to tell if you have mono?
Your doctor will take your temperature and check the glands in your neck, armpits, and groin. They might also check the upper left part of your stomach to determine if your spleen is enlarged.
What happens if you have mono?
According to the Mayo Clinic, mono can also cause some of these extremely rare complications: 1 anemia, which is a decrease in your red blood cell count 2 thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in platelets, the part of your blood that begins the clotting process 3 inflammation of the heart 4 complications that involve the nervous system, such as meningitis or Guillain-Barré syndrome 5 swollen tonsils that can obstruct breathing
Is mono contagious?
Mono is contagious, although experts aren’t really sure how long this period lasts. Because EBV sheds in your throat, you can infect someone who comes into contact with your saliva, such as by kissing them or sharing eating utensils. Due to the long incubation period, you may not even be aware you have mono.
Symptoms
Transmission
Prevention & Treatment
Diagnosing Infectious Mononucleosis
