Patient education: Mononucleosis (The Basics)

What is mononucleosis? — 

Mononucleosis, or "mono," is a viral infection. It is most often caused by a virus called Epstein-Barr virus, or "EBV."

Mono causes:

●Fever

●Sore throat

●Feeling tired

●Swollen neck glands

Very rarely, mono can cause more serious problems. These include:

●The spleen getting too big or bursting

●Trouble swallowing or breathing

●Problems with the brain or nerves

Some people call mono "the kissing disease." That's because kissing is 1 of the ways that mono is spread. It usually affects children, teens, and young adults.

How did I get mono? — 

The virus that causes mono lives in saliva. For example, you can catch it from someone who has mono if you:

●Kiss

●Share a fork or spoon

Is there a test for mono? — 

Yes. A blood test can check for the virus that causes mono. Even if you have mono, the test might not show the infection during the first 2 weeks of symptoms.

How is mono treated? — 

There is no cure for mono. Most people feel better on their own after a few weeks. Some people take several months to feel completely better.

Some medicines can help with the pain and fever that mono causes. These include:

●Acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol)

●Ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin)

If you take these medicines, follow the directions on the label.

Rarely, mono can make your tonsils very swollen. Tonsils are areas of soft tissue in the back of the throat. If tonsils get too swollen, it can make it hard to breathe. If this happens, you might need treatment in the hospital. Your doctor might prescribe steroids to help you breathe until the swelling goes down.

Antibiotics do not work on mono.

What can I do to feel better? — 

You can:

●Get plenty of rest.

●Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. This will help replace any fluids lost through sweating from a fever.

When can I go back to work or school? — 

You can go back to school or work when you feel better. Slowly add activities over a few weeks to months until you get to your normal activity level. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the right amount of activity for you.

You might need to avoid sports or other physical activities for at least 1 month. That's because mono can cause your spleen to become too big (figure 1). When it is too big, it can get damaged during physical activity. If your spleen gets big when you have mono, avoid physical activity until your doctor or nurse says that you can go back to it.

When will I feel better? — 

You will probably start to feel better in 1 to 2 weeks. It can take a month or longer before you feel normal again. Most people get over mono with no lasting problems.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse if you have:

●Very bad belly pain

●Trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, or shortness of breath while lying down

●Signs of infection, including a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher and chills

More on this topic

Patient education: Fever in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Sore throat in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Sore throat in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Swollen lymph nodes in adults (The Basics)

Patient education: Infectious mononucleosis (mono) in adults and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Fever in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Sore throat in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Sore throat in children (Beyond the Basics)