Mononucleosis
Overview
Causes
Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is passed from person to person through contact with someone else's saliva, such as through:
- Intimate behavior, such as kissing
- Sharing food or drinks
Risk Factors
Many people get EBV during their lifetime. Things that raise the risk that EBV will turn into mono are:
- Getting EBV after age 10
- Lowered immune system due to other illness, stress, or lack of energy
- Living in close quarters with many people, such as in a college dormitory
Getting mono once means a person will be immune to it in the future.
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Signs of mono start 4 to 7 weeks after a person was exposed to the virus. The first symptoms may be a sense of weakness that lasts about 1 week. Next, a person may have:
- High fever
- Severe sore throat
- Swollen glands
- Lack of energy
- Loss of hunger
- Muscle aches
- Belly swelling
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
Treatments
Treatment
There is no way to cure mono or to shorten the length of the illness. It lasts 4 to 6 weeks, but the lack of energy may last longer.
The goal is to manage symptoms. Choices are:
- Lifestyle changes, such as limiting contact sports and heavy lifting to avoid injury to a swollen spleen
- Supportive care, such as getting rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and gargling with salt water
- Medicines to ease pain and swelling in the throat, such as pain relievers or steroids
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.