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Recap
- Mono has an incubation period that lasts from four to six weeks.
- The prodrome phase can last between three to five days.
- The acute phase can last up to six weeks.
- The recovery period can last up to six months.
How do you know what stage of mono you are in?
Mono proceeds in three phases. First, a prodrome lasting 1-2 weeks with few if any symptoms. Second, an acute phase lasting 2 to 6 weeks during which the individual may be very sick with fevers, swollen glands, severe sore throat, and exhaustion.
What is the last stage of mono?
Now you have the symptoms of mono like sore throat, fever, swollen glands, etc. The final stage, the convalescent period, can last from 2-6 weeks to up to 3 months. During this time you'll feel much better, but are still weak and tired.
How do I know when my mono is getting better?
Mono symptoms usually go away within 2 to 4 weeks. In some teens, though, the tiredness and weakness can last for months. When you start feeling better, take it slow and don't overdo it. Although you can return to school after your fever is gone, you may still feel tired.
What are 4 mono symptoms?
These symptoms include:extreme fatigue.fever.sore throat.head and body aches.swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits.swollen liver or spleen or both.rash.
What happens if mono doesn't go away?
Occasionally, your spleen or liver may also swell, but mononucleosis is rarely ever fatal. Mono is hard to distinguish from other common viruses such as the flu. If your symptoms don't improve after 1 or 2 weeks of home treatment such as resting, getting enough fluids, and eating healthy foods, see your doctor.
What does mono feel like in throat?
Severe sore throat, which is almost always present and lasts about 6-10 days. The throat may be very red, with white spots or pus on the tonsils. This can initially look similar to strep throat. Fever of 100-103° F (37.8-39.4° C), which is usually worst during the first week and may worsen at night.
Can you get mono from stress?
Can mono come back with stress? Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, so it's possible that this could be one trigger leading to a bout of recurrent mono.
What causes mono to flare up?
But rarely, mononucleosis symptoms may recur months or even years later. Most cases of mononucleosis are caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Once you're infected with EBV, you carry the virus — usually in a dormant state — for the rest of your life. Sometimes, however, the virus may reactivate.Dec 29, 2020
How serious is mono?
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. With mono, you might feel sick for about a month.Aug 3, 2020
Is mono serious in adults?
Infectious mononucleosis, also known as "mono" or the "kissing disease," is an infection that may cause fever, sore throat, fatigue, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. It most commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults. In general, mononucleosis is not considered a serious illness.Apr 5, 2021
Is mono a STD?
In cases where it is passed through sexual contact, mono can be considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD), although mono is more often spread through contact with saliva. EBV is a member of the herpes virus family, along with the viruses that cause herpes and chickenpox.Jan 20, 2022
How long do you have swollen lymph nodes with mono?
The fever usually drops in 10 days, and swollen lymph glands and spleen heal in 4 weeks. Tiredness usually goes away within a few weeks, but it may linger for 2 to 3 months.
How long does mono last?
Convalescent Stage. This is the last stage of mono; it usually lasts for about 2-6 months. It’s actually like a recovery stage most of the acute symptoms such as fever, sore throat, lymphadenopathy are resolved but fatiguability, lack of energy can be present along with less physical strength.
How to treat mono?
Treatment Of Mono. Have plenty of rest, especially within the first two weeks after initiation of mono have bed rest. Rest is needed during mono in order to prevent the occurrence of some complications. Advertisement. Hydrate yourself.
What are the symptoms of a prodrome?
The symptoms seen during the prodrome stage are fatigue, malaise and mild headache. In this stage non-specific symptoms are present, it’s hard to arrive at a diagnosis accurately with symptoms as these symptoms are present in most of the viral infections. Acute Stage.
How long after mono can you exercise?
Avoid doing exercises, contact sports, weight lifting at least 4-6 weeks after being diagnosed with mono. The spleen is enlarged and swollen and is at an increased risk of getting ruptured when you have mono. So, doing the above-mentioned activities increase the risk more, therefore, avoid these activities.
How long does mononucleosis last?
It has three stages. Prodrome stage, Acute stage, and Convalescent stage. Prodrome stage lasts for about 3 to 5 days. The symptoms seen during the prodrome stage are fatigue, malaise and mild headache. In this stage non-specific symptoms are present.
How long does it take for a sore throat to resolve?
This fatiguability might resolve in few weeks or take months to resolve completely.
Can you give aspirin to a child?
Do not give aspirin to children less than 12 years because it can cause a serious adverse effect which is known as Reye syndrome. Sore throat and throat pain are awful. To relieve the throat pain, you can have some throat lozenges. Warm salt water helps the sore throat.
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.
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 does EBV spread?
Typically, these viruses spread most commonly through bodily fluids, especially saliva . However, these viruses can also spread through blood and semen during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantations.
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—.
Is Epstein-Barr a contagious disease?
About Infectious Mononucleosis. Infectious mononucleosis, also called “mono,” is a contagious disease. 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.
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 contagious disease of the body?
Mononucleosis. Mononucleosis (mono) is a contagious infection caused by a herpes virus called Epstein-Barr. Other viruses can also cause mono. The infection is common among teenagers and young adults. People with mono experience extreme fatigue, fever and body aches. Treatments can ease symptoms until the illness goes away on its own.
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.
When do people get EBV?
There are often two peaks when people acquire EBV: early school age children and again around adolescence/young adulthood. Young children are often asymptomatic, whereas teenagers and people in their 20s are most likely to get mono.
How long does mono last?
Mono proceeds in three phases. First, a prodrome lasting 1-2 weeks with few if any symptoms. Second, an acute phase lasting 2 to 6 weeks during which the individual may be very sick with fevers, swollen glands, severe sore throat, and exhaustion.
When is mononucleosis most common?
Mono. Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection, commonly known as mononucleosis or “mono”, can occur at any age, but is most common in adolescence and early adulthood.
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.
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.
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.
What causes a spleen to enlarge?
A number of conditions, including liver disease and some cancers, can cause your spleen to become enlarged. Mononucleosis may cause enlargement of the spleen. In extreme cases, your spleen may rupture, causing sharp, sudden pain in the left side of your upper abdomen.
What is a low platelet count?
Thrombocytopenia — a low count of platelets, which are blood cells involved in clotting. Heart problems — an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) Complications involving the nervous system — meningitis, encephalitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Swollen tonsils — which can block breathing.
How long does it take for a virus to show up?
The virus has an incubation period of about four to six weeks, although in young children this period may be shorter. The incubation period refers to how long before your symptoms appear after being exposed to the virus. Signs and symptoms such as a fever and sore throat usually lessen within a couple of weeks.
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 Are The Stages of Mono?
How Is Mono Treated?
- Currently, there is no medication or vaccine that can prevent or cure mono. This illness is fought off by the immune system. To help with recovery: 1. It's important for someone who has mono to rest and get plenty of fluids. 2. Over-the-counter or prescription medications may help with symptoms such as pain and fever. However, acetaminophenshould be used with caution becaus…
How Quickly Does Mono Progress?
- The timeline from the initial onset of mono to a full recovery can differ from person to person. In the first four to six weeks after a person gets mono, they may not even know they have it. This is because mono has a long incubation period. When symptoms begin to appear in the first phase, they can last about three to five days. These symptoms may be so mild that people don't notice …
What Are The Long-Term Effects of Mono?
- Studies have shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may be linked to Burkitt’s lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, which are types of cancer. Mono has also been associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.8 In rare cases, people with mono may develop a chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) infection. This can occur in those with …
Summary
- Mono is a contagious illness that is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Mono has three stages: a prodrome, an acute stage, and a convelescent (recovery) stage. Because mono has a long incubation period, it can be difficult to determine when the illness actually began. On average, the prodrome phase lasts three to five days, while the acute phase can last up to six weeks. The …
A Word from Verywell
- The virus that can cause mono is extremely common. Chances are, you and most of the people you know may get it at some point without ever knowing it. However, only a small amount of people will actually get full blown mono. Recovering from mono can take quite a while. Keep in mind that the majority of people who have mono recover fully with plenty of rest and fluids. Be s…
Symptoms
Transmission
- EBV is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can cause this disease. Typically, these viruses spread most commonly through bodily fluids, especially saliva. However, these viruses can also spread through blood and semen during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantations.
Prevention & Treatment
- There is no vaccine to protect against infectious mononucleosis. You can help protect yourself by not kissing or sharing drinks, food, or personal items, like toothbrushes, with people who have infectious mononucleosis. You can help relieve symptoms of infectious mononucleosis by— 1. drinking fluids to stay hydrated 2. getting plenty of rest 3. taking over-the-counter medications fo…
Diagnosing Infectious Mononucleosis
- Healthcare providers typically diagnose infectious mononucleosis based on symptoms. 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 mononucleo…