Mononucleosis (Mono)

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Medical Author:

Steven Doerr, MD

Steven Doerr, MD

Steven Doerr, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Doerr received his undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated with his Medical Degree from the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado in 1998 and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 2002, where he also served as Chief Resident.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Mononucleosis Overview
• Mononucleosis Causes
• Mono Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Mono Diagnosis
• Mono Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Follow-up
• Mono Prevention
• Mono Prognosis
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Mononucleosis from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Mononucleosis (mono) - Symptoms Experienced
• Viewer Comments: Mononucleosis - Symptoms

Mononucleosis Overview

Infectious mononucleosis (often called "mono") is a common viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. Mononucleosis is most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and it is most frequently diagnosed in teenagers and young adults.

Mononucleosis generally resolves without medical help, though it may last from weeks to months. Treatment is aimed at easing the symptoms of the illness, and it can usually be done at home with plenty of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications. Serious complications only rarely occur.

Mononucleosis Causes

The Epstein-Barr virus causes mononucleosis in more than 90% of cases. This ubiquitous, highly contagious organism is a member of the Herpesviridae family of viruses (other viruses in this family include herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, cytomegalovirus, and human herpes virus 6 & 7). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can sometimes also cause an illness with the symptoms of mononucleosis.

• Mononucleosis most often occurs in people between 5-25 years of age, with the highest occurrence rate between 15-25 years of age.



• Between 1%-3% of college students contract mononucleosis each year.



• In developed countries, it most often occurs in those of higher socioeconomic status.



• By adulthood, 90%-95% of people have already been infected with EBV.



• Not all individuals exposed to EBV, however, develop the symptoms of mononucleosis.



• Once infected, a person develops lifelong immunity to future infections from the disease.



• EBV has been associated with the development of certain cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma.



• EBV is transmitted through exposure to body fluids containing the virus.



• It is most often transmitted via saliva (hence the name "kissing disease").



• It can also be spread through blood and genital secretions.

Mono Symptoms

The most common symptoms of mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, swollen glands (lymph nodes), and fatigue. Symptoms usually develop between four to six weeks after exposure to the EBV. Other signs and symptoms of mononucleosis may include the following:

• headache,



• rash,



• malaise,



• loss of appetite,



• jaundice,



• tonsillitis,



• body aches,



• enlarged spleen and/or liver,



• abdominal pain, and



• difficulty breathing.

In younger children, the symptoms may be more subtle and may additionally include irritability and poor feeding.

Infectious Mononucleosis Symptoms and Signs