How serious is mono?

In general, mononucleosis is not considered a serious illness. However, mononucleosis can lead to significant loss of time from school or work due to profound fatigue and, on rare occasion, can cause severe or even life-threatening illness.

What happens if mono is left untreated?

But a number of conditions, including liver disease and some cancers, can cause your spleen to become enlarged. Mononucleosis may cause enlargement of the spleen. In extreme cases, your spleen may rupture, causing sharp, sudden pain in the left side of your upper abdomen.

Can mono lead to something more serious?

Mono itself doesn't weaken the immune system. In even rarer cases, mono can lead to something called chronic active EBV (CAEBV) disease. This is a serious condition in which mono symptoms last longer than six months. If you experience this or any of the symptoms we've listed below, seek medical attention.

Should I be worried about having mono?

For most people, mono isn't serious, and it improves without treatment. Still, extreme fatigue, body aches and other symptoms can interfere with school, work and daily life. With mono, you might feel sick for about a month.

When does mono become serious?

Get medical care right away if you have severe belly pain or blurry vision, if you feel lightheaded or confused, or if you pass out. You could have a ruptured spleen. Talk to your doctor if: You have mono symptoms for longer than 10 days or you have a severe sore throat for more than a day or two.

What is MONO? Symptoms, Diagnosis

What are the four stages of mono?

Can mono be fatal?

Occasionally, your spleen or liver may also swell, but mononucleosis is rarely ever fatal. Mono is hard to distinguish from other common viruses such as the flu. If your symptoms don't improve after 1 or 2 weeks of home treatment such as resting, getting enough fluids, and eating healthy foods, see your doctor.

Is mono a STD?

Technically, yes, mono can be considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). But that's not to say that all cases of mono are STIs. Mono, or infectious mononucleosis as you might hear your doctor call it, is a contagious disease caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a member of the herpesvirus family.

Is mono serious in adults?

It most commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults. In general, mononucleosis is not considered a serious illness. However, mononucleosis can lead to significant loss of time from school or work due to profound fatigue and, on rare occasion, can cause severe or even life-threatening illness.

How long is mono recovery?

Most signs and symptoms of mononucleosis ease within a few weeks, but it may be two to three months before you feel completely normal. The more rest you get, the sooner you should recover. Returning to your usual schedule too soon can increase the risk of a relapse.

Does mono affect you for life?

Most cases of mononucleosis are caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Once you're infected with EBV, you carry the virus — usually in a dormant state — for the rest of your life. Sometimes, however, the virus may reactivate.

What does mono cause later in life?

Those diseases are: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes. Combined, these seven diseases affect nearly 8 million people in the U.S.

Can mono turn into meningitis?

Because of its flu-like symptoms, many people mistake it for the flu. Viruses that cause "stomach flu" are a cause of viral meningitis, but most people who have these infections don't develop meningitis. Other viruses that lead to meningitis are those that cause chickenpox, mononucleosis (mono), and herpes.

What is the death rate of mono?

Death occurs in < 1%, mostly resulting from complications (eg, encephalitis, splenic rupture, airway obstruction).

How easy is it to rupture your spleen with mono?

However, spontaneous rupture or atraumatic rupture of spleen secondary to infectious mononucleosis is rare with an estimation of 0.06%² to 0.5%³ and it is the most frequent cause of death in infectious mononucleosis.

How long is mono contagious for?

Once your symptoms do appear, they may last for two to four weeks. You can pass the virus to other people through your saliva for up to three months after your symptoms subside. Some studies have reported that you may still be contagious for up to 18 months.

Can you get mono from stress?

Can mono come back with stress? Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, so it's possible that this could be one trigger leading to a bout of recurrent mono.

Is mono painful?

Mono may begin slowly with fatigue, a general ill feeling, headache, and sore throat. The sore throat slowly gets worse. Your tonsils become swollen and develop a whitish-yellow covering. Often, the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen and painful.

Does mono go away on its own?

Mononucleosis (mono) is a viral infection that causes a sore throat and fever. Cases often happen in teens and young adults. It goes away on its own after a few weeks of rest.

Can you get mono from giving a BJ?

But they do know that the virus which causes mono can be found in saliva and genital secretions. It's quite possible that infection could be passed on during oral sex. Mono, known to doctors as infectious mononucleosis, is usually caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus.

Can mono be cured?

There isn't a cure for mono. The virus will go away on its own. Symptoms usually last about 4 weeks. The main goal of treatment is to relieve your symptoms.

When can I kiss after mono?

Also, people who have had mono can still have the virus in their saliva long after the illness is over. Typically, the virus is present in the saliva for about 30-45 days, but it can appear on and off in the saliva for up to 18 months in some people.

Can you be hospitalized with mono?

The severity of symptoms varies greatly between individuals. Symptoms may be so mild that one can have mono without knowing it. In other cases, symptoms may be severe enough to require hospitalization.

Why do people get hospitalized with mono?

Mono can make the spleen swell for a few weeks or longer. An enlarged spleen can rupture, causing pain and bleeding inside the belly, and needs emergency surgery.

How much do you sleep when you have mono?

How is Mono Treated? need to take care of yourself so your immune system can fight the infection. Antibiotics are NOT useful in treating viral diseases such as mono. You will need plenty of rest (8 to 10 hours of sleep a night).