Mononucleosis (Mono)

What is Mono?

Mono is a virus that usually comes from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other viruses can cause it too. It mostly affects teens and young adults, though younger children can catch it as well. When young kids get it, the illness is usually mild and hard to spot. Most people catch EBV when they are babies or young children, and they don’t show the usual signs of mono. By the time people grow up, almost everyone has had the virus and won’t get sick from it again.

How does mono spread?

Mono spreads through body fluids like saliva (spit). People pass it to others by sharing drinks, food, or utensils, or by kissing, coughing, or sneezing. That’s why people often call it “the kissing disease.” Teens and young adults often spread it because of how they hang out and interact. Mono spreads the most when someone feels very sick. But people can still pass the virus for a long time—sometimes up to a year. Because healthy people can also carry the virus in their spit, doctors don’t recommend any special rules to stop it.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms appear four to six weeks after contact with the virus. For teenagers and adults who come down with mono, the illness can be truly overwhelming. Symptoms like severe fatigue, fever, muscle pain, and a sore throat can be so intense that most people are unable to keep up with their usual activities for several weeks. In contrast, young children often experience much milder symptoms, such as a low-grade fever, brief loss of appetite, or simply feeling more tired than usual. In some cases, they may not show any symptoms at all.

Below are the symptoms that are most often associated with Mono.

• Severe tiredness (fatigue)
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Pink rash all over the body that resembles measles
• Enlarged spleen or liver

Recovery

Typically, most symptoms of Mono go away within 2 to 4 weeks. Contact sports should be avoided during this period because of the risks associated with an enlarged spleen or liver. The tiredness and weakness associated with Mono can last for months. Rest is an important part of recovery. Too early a return to activities may result in a prolonged recovery time.

The good news is that in most cases, most people recover from a bout of mono without any long-term effects. A person may return to school or work when they feel well enough to participate in normal activities without tiring. This will vary from case to case, depending on the severity of the illness.

How can I prevent the spread of Mononucleosis?

• There is no vaccine to protect against the Mono (Epstein-Barr virus).
• Practicing good health habits can decrease spread.
• Frequent hand washing.
• Encouraging covering of coughs and sneezes.
• Frequent cleaning of surfaces that are commonly touched, such as door handles and toys.

Services related to this information:

• Contact your Public Health Nurse.
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555.