Mononucleosis, which is most also known as “mono,” is an infectious illness that is most common among teenagers and young adults—especially college students.
Extreme fatigue is the most well-known symptom of this illness, and it often lasts for at least a month. In some cases, though, symptoms of mono can last for multiple months.
Our AFC Urgent Care Cleveland team provides more helpful information on mono below, so keep reading!
What Is Mono?
Mono can be caused by many different types of viruses, but the most prevalent cause is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it is easily transferred by bodily fluids such as saliva.
Mono isn’t a life-threatening infection for most people, and it usually goes away on its own. Nonetheless, like we said earlier, common symptoms like excessive fatigue can make daily tasks difficult for a month or longer. The following are the most common mono symptoms.
Common Mono Symptoms
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Head and body aches
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
- Swollen liver or spleen or both
- Rash
How Long Will It Take for Symptoms to Go Away?
In most cases, symptoms will go away in two to four weeks. In other cases, though, some people may feel fatigued for several more weeks. In fact, the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis can last for six months or longer for some, according to the CDC.
As far as prevention goes, there is no vaccine to protect against mononucleosis. The best way to prevent yourself from getting this illness is to avoid kissing or sharing drinks, food or personal items, like toothbrushes, with people who have infectious mononucleosis. While mono is a virus that will need to run its course, there are ways you can reduce the severity of symptoms, and we’ve listed them below.
Ways to Relieve Mono Symptoms
- Drinking fluids to stay hydrated
- Getting plenty of rest
- Taking over-the-counter medications for pain and fever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Do you have other questions about mono? We can answer them! Don’t hesitate to call or visit our AFC Urgent Care Cleveland team today.
