Often nicknamed ‘the kissing disease’, infectious mononucleosis (mono) is a viral infection that most commonly infects adolescents and young adults. Mono can cause severe illness with symptoms often lasting several weeks. Mono can also cause secondary medical complications such as enlargement of the spleen. Seeking medical diagnosis if you suspect you may be suffering from mono can ensure that you do not spread the disease to others. Although it is possible in some rare cases, it is highly unlikely that you will get mono more than once in your life. If you’re suffering from mono symptoms, you should seek a professional medical diagnosis.
Is Mono Contagious?
Like most viral infections, the virus that causes mono is easily spread from person to person. However, the Epstein-Barr virus which causes mono spreads only through the exchange of saliva. Because of this, sharing food or drinks is a common way that mono spreads. This is a large reason that mono commonly infects young adults.
Although mono is a contagious infection, it is not as common as other viral infections such as a cold, due to the virus not spreading through airborne exposure. This being said, mono has an unusually long incubation period of 4-6 weeks. This means that even though you may not have symptoms, you could be spreading the virus to others for weeks without knowing it.
Common Mono Symptoms
Mono is known for causing serious symptoms that can be debilitating and long-lasting. In some cases, symptoms can last over a month. The initial symptoms that may give you a clue that you have contracted mono include extreme fatigue and brain fog. However, because fatigue is also associated with many other common illnesses, it can be difficult to determine whether your symptoms are due to mono without a medical diagnosis.
Common Symptoms Include:
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Chills
- Rash
- Swollen lymph nodes
If you think you may have mono, your medical provider will conduct lab testing such as drawing blood to test for the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus in the body. Because mono can take several weeks for symptoms to appear after transmission, it is possible that you can test positive for mono without any symptoms.
Mono Treatment Options at Urgent Care
Unfortunately, because mono is caused by a viral infection, there is no official medical treatment for it. Your body will fight off the infection on its own over the course of a few weeks. Like most viral illnesses, the recommended course of treatment for mono includes rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medication for specific symptoms.
Mono can cause severe symptoms. It can also lead to various secondary illnesses, including strep throat and sinus infections. It is important to seek a medical diagnosis if you think you may have mono for proper care instructions and to seek immediate medical care for severe or worsening symptoms to test for secondary infections that may require medical treatment.
Get Mono Symptom Diagnosis & Treatment by Visiting AFC Urgent Care Aurora City Center
Mono can cause serious illness. That is why it is important to seek medical intervention if you suspect that you think you may have been exposed to mono. Your medical provider will be able to test your blood to confirm the presence of mono, which will help them create a treatment plan for you and prevent you from spreading your illness to others. If you’re experiencing mono symptoms, get rapid diagnostic testing for mono by visiting AFC Urgent Care Aurora City Center today.
At AFC Urgent Care Aurora City Center, we never require an appointment to receive treatment from our board-certified medical providers. Simply walk-in or pre-register your visit online. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer low-cost medical care options for patients paying out of pocket for their care. For additional questions regarding our clinic, please contact us directly.
