Mono (Infectious Mononucleosis)

Mono is a contagious disease that is very common among teenagers and young adults. Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is the most common cause of Mono, but other viruses can also cause this disease. Typically these viruses spread through infected saliva through coughing, sneezing or kissing.

Symptoms of mono include:

• Severe sore throat
• Large swollen tonsils
• Extreme fatigue
• Head and body aches
• Rash
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin
• Fever for 7-14 days
• Enlarged spleen(50% of children)
• Positive blood test for mononucleosis(Diagnosis must be confirmed by a physician)

Most children have only mild symptoms for a week. Even those with severe symptoms usually feel completely well in 2 to 4 weeks.

You can help relieve symptoms of infectious mono by:

• Drinking fluids to stay hydrated
• Getting plenty of rest
• Stay home from school while having fever
• Taking over-the- counter medications for pain and fever
• No contact sports and rough play if spleen enlarged

There is no vaccine to protect against infectious mono. You can help protect yourself by not kissing or sharing drinks, food or personal items, like toothbrushes, with people who have infectious mono.

www.cdc.gov