Infectious mononucleosis is a viral infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Symptoms of the infection include exhaustion, flu, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash. Also called the "kissing disease" due to its spread via contact with a person's saliva. Most adolescents and young adults get sick, but anyone can get sick at any age.
People need to know what the signs and symptoms of mono are and take care not to spread the virus. This means staying away from people who are sick, particularly during the initial stages of the ailment when the infection is most likely to spread.
Common Mono Signs And Symptoms
Most people with infectious mononucleosis (mono) have the following signs and symptoms:
- Feel exhausted and weak.
- Body temperature is at or above 100.4°F (38°C).
- A sore throat, throat hurts or feels scratchy.
- Swollen lymph nodes are found in the neck, armpits, or groin.
- A red rash or pink mark on the skin.
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Spleen or liver enlargement, but this doesn't happen often.
- There may also be other signs, like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
It is important to remember that not everyone with mono will have all of these symptoms, and several people may have none at all. Also, the severity of the symptoms can differ from one individual to another.
How To Tell If A Rash Is A Sign Of Mono
A rash is not a common sign of infectious mononucleosis (mono), and it is not something that only happens with mono. But in sporadic cases, people with mono may get a rash on their skin. This rash usually looks like small red or pink spots.
Most of the time, the rash is relatively benign and fades away entirely on its own, but it's vital to see a doctor to ensure it's mono and rule out any other problems. The most popular standard is the mono spot check, which looks for antibodies to EBV in the blood. Some other tests, like a CBC and an LFT, could also be done to help figure out how bad the illness is. Talking to a doctor or nurse is vital to get the correct diagnosis and treatment. They can determine if the rash is induced by mono or something else and treat it appropriately.
Urgent Care Testing & Treatment Options
People can get the following tests and treatments at an urgent care center:
Diagnostics:
Physical exam: A doctor or nurse will do a physical exam and look for signs like tiredness, flu, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, and rashes.
Laboratory tests: Blood tests like the mono spot test, complete blood count (CBC), and liver function test (LFT) can be used to confirm the presence of mono.
Treatment:
Bed rest: The doctor or nurse may tell you to stay in bed to help your body heal from the infection.
Over-the-counter pain relievers: You can treat fever and pain with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Adequate fluid intake: If you don't want to get dehydrated, your doctor or nurse may tell you to consume lots of water and other fluids.
Antiviral drugs aren't usually given for mono because a virus causes it, and antibiotics don't work against viruses.
Follow-up:
A follow-up appointment may be scheduled so the doctor can see whether the patient's condition has improved since the last one.
