Mononeucleosis

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Infectious Mononucleosis Information Sheet

 Mononucleosis (Mono) is an illness caused by a virus, usually the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).  Many people catch mono as children and have mild flu-like symptoms.  Even as adults, most people who get mono are only sick for a few weeks.  Many people infected with mono don’t get sick or have such mild symptoms they never know they have it.  Most people who have had mono are then immune (they won’t get sick again if exposed to the virus).  Very rarely a reactivation of the mono virus has been reported. 

85-95% of adults in the U.S. have had mono by the time they are 40; only about 20% know they’ve had it.

 Classic Mono Symptoms:

·         Swollen lymph glands

·         Sore throat

·         White patches at the back of the throat

·         Fever

·         Fatigue

Other symptoms may include headache, poor appetite, muscle aches, nausea, and a skin rash.

 Incubation and Transmission

• Mono has a long incubation period.  From the time a person is infected until symptoms start can be 1-2 months.  If you have mono now, you may have been infected weeks ago.

• Many people are infectious without symptoms.  So, you may have been infected by someone who wasn’t having symptoms.  Some people never feel sick.  Others no longer feel sick, but still produce viruses for several weeks.  Fewer than 10% of the people who get mono know whom they caught it from.

• Mono is passed by saliva.  Only kissing and sharing drinks and/or utensils is likely to spread the infection.

• Avoid kissing someone who has mono and sharing drinks and/or utensils

• If you’ve kissed or shared drinks with someone who now has mono, taking especially good care of yourself (healthy diet, exercise, and enough rest) may help keep you from getting ill.

Treatment of Mono

• Because mono is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help.  However, you may have a secondary bacterial infection that requires treatment with antibiotics.

• Some people don’t miss school or work if they take it easy and get as much rest as possible.  Other people need to take 1-2 weeks away from regular activities/classes.

• Because the spleen can swell with mono, spleen rupture is a possible serious complication.  Its first symptom is abdominal pain and/or pain spreading into the left shoulder.

Steps to Feel Better

·         Get plenty of rest. Nap. Take it easy.

·         Eat healthy foods

·         Don’t drink alcohol for at least 12 weeks, possibly longer if symptoms not resolved.

·         Drink lots of fluids

·         Take Ibuprofen (Advil) for pain and fever.  No Aspirin or Tylenol (Acetaminophen)

·         Relieve sore throat by gargling salt water (1/4 teaspoon salt to a cup of water), sucking ice cubes or lozenges, or holding a cold pack against your throat.

·         Protect the spleen by avoiding strenuous activity such as hard exercises, contact sports or heavy lifting for 4 weeks and until medically cleared.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have:

• Abdominal pain and/or pain in the left shoulder

• Jaundice (yellow color in the eyes or skin) or dark urine

• Trouble breathing from swelling in your throat

• Inability to swallow fluids because of throat pain or swelling

• High fever that lasts more than 4-5 days

• Other symptoms that don’t improve after 1 week

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