But in others who are immunocompromised, mono can be potentially life-threatening.” “The younger you are, the harder to tell if it’s EBV,” says Eric Johannsen, MD, associate professor of infectious disease in the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, who specializes in EBV. Some doctors suspect some cases of mono in young children likely go undiagnosed because symptoms are so mild and are mistaken for those of a cold or the flu. Some children who get mono experience nothing more than a slight fever and brief loss of appetite, and seem a little more tired than usual. ( 1, 2)ĭoctors aren’t sure exactly why, but children tend to have milder mono symptoms than adults. Symptoms are similar to those of a cold or the flu, including fever, severe sore throat, muscle aches, and extreme exhaustion. Symptoms in teens and adults tend to be worse than those in younger individuals. Mononucleosis, or mono as it’s more commonly referred to, is an infection that’s primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Note that it’s more common in teens and young adults. At present, there is no vaccine available to prevent infectious mononucleosis.If you have an illness that feels like the worst cold or flu you’ve ever had and it knocks you off your feet, it could be mononucleosis. What can a person do to minimize the spread of infectious mononucleosis?Īvoid activities involving the transfer of body fluids (commonly saliva) with someone who is currently or recently infected with the disease. No treatment other than rest is needed in the vast majority of cases. What is the treatment for infectious mononucleosis?

After the initial infection, the virus tends to become dormant for a prolonged period and can later reactivate and be shed from the throat again. The virus is shed in the throat during the illness and for up to a year after infection.

When and for how long is a person able to spread infectious mononucleosis? Symptoms appear from four to six weeks after exposure. Sometimes the liver and spleen are affected. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollen glands and feeling tired. What are the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis? In rare instances the virus has been transmitted by blood transfusion. The virus is spread by person-to-person contact, via saliva (on hands or toys, or by kissing). For this reason, it is recognized more often in high school and college students. In developed countries such as the United States, the age first exposure may be delayed to older childhood and young adult age when symptoms are more likely to result. In underdeveloped countries, people are exposed in early childhood where they are likely to develop noticeable symptoms. While most people are exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus sometime in their lives, very few go on to develop the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is a member of the herpes virus family. Infectious mononucleosis is a viral disease that affects certain blood cells. Health care provider concerning appropriate care, treatment or other medical advice. We are not able to answer personal medical questions. This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substituteįor medical care. Office of Disease Prevention Services - 6(1-80 in South Dakota only) INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS (mono, EBV mononucleosis)

Symptoms of mono in adults