Originally published by Harvard Health.

What Is It?

Infectious mononucleosis is an illness caused by a viral infection. It is commonly called mononucleosis, or “mono.” Mononucleosis is most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. In some cases, it is caused by other viruses.

Mononucleosis has been nicknamed the “kissing disease.” This is because Epstein-Barr virus commonly is transmitted during kissing. However, sneezes and coughs also can transmit the virus.

Mononucleosis typically occurs the first time a person is infected with Epstein-Barr virus. But infection with Epstein-Barr virus does not always cause mononucleosis. It often causes only a mild illness or no illness at all.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of mononucleosis typically include:

• Fever
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Unusual fatigue, such as the need for 12 to 16 hours of sleep daily

These symptoms are followed very shortly by:

• Sore throat
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Chills
• Joint aches
• Loss of appetite and slight weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting (occasionally)
• A red rash, usually on the chest. This is more likely if the person has recently taken the antibiotics ampicillin or amoxicillin.
• Abdominal pain
• Enlarged spleen

Rare symptoms include:

• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
• Difficulty breathing
• Anemia
• Irregular heart rhythms

In rare cases, an enlarged spleen can rupture. The spleen is a small organ near the stomach. Untreated, a ruptured spleen can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and current symptoms. He or she will want to know about recent exposure to anyone with mononucleosis or mono-like symptoms.

During a physical exam, your doctor will look for signs of mononucleosis. These include:

• Fever
• A reddened throat with enlarged tonsils
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and elsewhere
• An enlarged spleen
• A red rash, usually on the chest

Your doctor also will do blood tests to help make the diagnosis. The results of these blood tests may not be abnormal until the person has been ill for a week.

Two types of blood tests help to make the diagnosis:

• Differential white blood cell count. This test measures levels of different types of white blood cells. In the first few weeks of mononucleosis, the number of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) is quite high. There also are large numbers of lymphocytes that look unusual, called “atypical lymphocytes”.
• Heterophil tests. Mononucleosis causes white blood cells to make an unusual kind of antibody called heterophil antibody. Heterophil tests measure levels of heterophil antibody.

Expected Duration

Symptoms usually are most intense during the first two to four weeks of the illness. But some symptoms, especially fatigue, can last for several months or longer.

Prevention

This disease is most contagious during its acute stage. This is when the affected person still has a fever.

Someone with mononucleosis does not need to be kept isolated from others. However, many doctors recommend that the patient avoid kissing others while he or she is feeling ill. This helps to help prevent the spread of the infection.

Some authorities also advise avoiding sharing food, drinks or eating utensils during the first few weeks of the illness.

Treatment

There is no medical cure for mononucleosis. It usually goes away on its own.

Most treatment focuses on making the person more comfortable. Recovery usually calls for getting plenty of rest and fluids and treating symptoms.

Cold drinks, frozen desserts and gargling with salt water can help to relieve minor sore throat pain.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be taken to fight fever and body aches.

Prednisone can shrink tonsils that are so swollen it is hard to breathe.

It is important to protect the spleen from rupture. Avoid strenuous activities, especially contact sports, for at least four weeks. You should wait even longer if your doctor finds your spleen is still enlarged.

When To Call a Professional

Call your doctor if you develop the symptoms of mononucleosis.

If you have been diagnosed with mononucleosis, contact your doctor immediately if:

• Your breathing becomes difficult or noisy
• You experience intense pain in the upper left side of your abdomen
• Your symptoms seem to be getting worse after one to two weeks

Prognosis

Most patients with mononucleosis recover completely. Some people with the illness develop strep throat. This is a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.

Additional Info

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993
Toll-Free: 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
http://www.fda.gov/default.htm