Mono (medically known as mononucleosis) is a common illness, and it’s especially common among young adults. It’s often referred to as the “kissing disease,” since it is most often transmitted to others by kissing or sharing of bodily fluids, like saliva.

Extreme fatigue is the most famous of mono symptoms, but can cases of mono result in anything worse than that?

They can, and our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team explains further below.

What Is Mono?

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most prevalent cause of mononucleosis, or mono, as it is more generally known. Like we said earlier, mono is known as the kissing disease because it is easily transmitted by bodily fluids, such as saliva.

For most people, mono isn’t a life-threatening infection, and it will go away on its own. Even so, common symptoms like extreme fatigue, body aches and other symptoms can make everyday duties difficult for up to a month, which is how long mono usually lasts. The most common mono symptoms are listed below.

Common Mono Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Sore throat, perhaps misdiagnosed as strep throat, that doesn’t get better after treatment with antibiotics
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• Swollen tonsils
• Headache
• Skin rash

How Serious Is Mono?

Mono isn’t typically a cause for serious concern. In most cases, symptoms will clear up in around four weeks, but feeling of fatigue can linger for longer. The biggest concern with mono, though, is that, in rare cases, it can cause an enlarged spleen that ruptures.

If the spleen bursts, it can leak into the abdomen, and internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen can be life-threatening and requires emergency surgery. The likelihood of this happening is very rare, but it’s still something to be aware of. If you are concerned about the symptoms that you’re experiencing, we’ve listed when you should consider calling a doctor below.

When to Call a Doctor

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Dizziness or fainting
• Extreme muscle weakness in arms or legs
• Intense body aches
• High fever that won’t go away
• Severe headaches
• Sharp pain in the upper left abdomen

We’re here for you now and always! Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC center to get the non-emergency medical care that you need.