Mononucleosis is a viral disease characterized by fever, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and fatigue.
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Mononucleosis is usually caused by the
(EBV). While other viruses can cause mono-like symptoms, EBV is generally thought to be the virus which causes mononucleosis. Found mainly in saliva and mucus, EBV is passed most efficiently from person-to-person by intimate behavior, such as kissing.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Many people contract EBV during their lifetime. Risk factors that increase the likelihood that EBV will develop into mononucleosis include:
One episode of mononucleosis usually produces permanent immunity.
Signs of mononucleosis usually begin about 4-7 weeks after you were exposed to the virus. The initial symptoms may be a sense of general malaise that lasts about a week. This is followed by a set of signs and symptoms that may include:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Diagnosis is based on:
There is no treatment to cure mononucleosis or to shorten the length of illness. It usually runs its course in 4-6 weeks, although the fatigue may linger.
During the first few weeks after diagnosis, patients should avoid contact sports. Inflammation of the spleen from mononucleosis puts individuals at a high risk of splenic rupture. Rupture can require surgery, and in rare cases, it can be fatal.
Steroids are sometimes used if the swelling in the throat is interfering with breathing, or if a complication involving low platelet counts or
This treatment has not been shown to be helpful in mild cases.
If you are diagnosed with mononucleosis, follow your doctor's
Most people contract the EBV virus sometime during their lives. Prevention is geared toward decreasing the likelihood that EBV will develop into mononucleosis. Follow these guidelines to decrease your risk:
Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhttp://www.cdc.gov/
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseaseshttp://www3.niaid.nih.gov/
About Kids Healthhttp://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/
Canadian Family Physicianhttp://www.cfpc.ca/
Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
Accessed July 17, 2009.
Balfour HH Jr, Hokanson KM, Schacherer RM, et al. A virologic pilot study of valacyclovir in infectious mononucleosis.
J Clin Virol
The Merck Manual of Medical Information
ed. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, Inc; 2000.
Luzuriaga K, Sullivan JL. Infectious mononucleosis.
N Engl J Med
. 2010 May 27;362(21):1993-2000.
Mononucleosis. Mayo Clinic website. Available at:
. Updated June 2009. Accessed July 17, 2009.
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