Mononucleosis

Have you ever heard of "the kissing disease"? Mononucleosis (pronounced mon-o-nuke-lee-o-sis, or "Mono" for short) got this nickname because people can pass it through their saliva when they kiss. Kissing isn't the only way you can catch Mono, so read on to learn more.

What is Mono?

Mono is the name of an infection that is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a very common virus that many people are exposed to when they are young. Some people with EBV might not have symptoms, but may still carry the virus and infect other people, causing them to develop Mono.

How does someone get Mono?

Kissing a person that has EBV is just one way of getting Mono. There are other ways you can get it, and they all involve coming in contact with the saliva of someone who has the virus.

The virus can be passed through:

• A drink (water bottle, cup, etc.)
• A toothbrush
• A fork or spoon
• Lip balm, lip gloss, or lipstick

What are the symptoms of Mono?

People who have Mono may have different combinations of symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Extreme tiredness/weakness
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• Swollen glands
• Sore muscles
• Swollen spleen or liver (in advanced cases)

If you have a sore throat, swollen glands, and fever, see your health care provider and get checked out.

Is there a test for Mono?

Yes. In addition to checking for swollen tonsils, swollen lymph nodes (in your neck), a swollen liver or spleen, your health care provider (HCP) can take a sample of your blood to check for Mono. This test is called a "monospot". If the test is positive and you have symptoms, your HCP will tell you that you have Mono. The test can stay positive for a year, so it doesn't need to be repeated.

How long will I be sick with Mono?

If you have a fever it will usually go away within 10 days. If you have an enlarged liver or spleen, it will usually become normal in 4 weeks. Other Mono symptoms go away after a few weeks (the length of time varies for each person), but you may continue to feel very tired for up to 3 months.

What is the treatment for Mono?

Unfortunately there isn't a medicine or pill that can get rid of Mono, but there are things you can to do feel better.

Things you can do to help yourself feel better while you have Mono:

• Get lots of rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever
• Eat healthy foods
• Gargle with salt water (but don't swallow), drink tea with honey, try throat lozenges, or suck on an ice pop if you have a sore throat

When can I get back to school and sports?

You can go back to school when you feel better, which may take a few days to a few weeks. However, you'll probably still feel tired for a few weeks. Most people get better within a month, but you may need to talk with your teachers or principal if your Mono symptoms are severe and are causing you to miss a lot of school. You should not participate in contact sports for one month to lessen the chance of your spleen getting hurt.

Is there any way to prevent getting Mono?

You can't always prevent getting mono, but you can lessen your chance by: not sharing your toothbrush, dishes, utensils, and water bottles, and don't share drinks. If someone you know has Mono, be very careful not to share any of these items with them and don't kiss them either.

If I have Mono, how can I prevent giving it to someone else?

To prevent giving the virus to someone else:

• Don't share your food, drinks, eating utensils, tooth brush, or any kind of lip product
• Don't kiss while you are sick (Mono can spread through saliva)
• Cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze

Even though there's no quick way to get rid of Mono, you will probably feel better in a few weeks. The good news is that once you've had it, you probably won't get it again.

Written by the CYWH & YMH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 3/25/2011

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