Mononucleosis symptoms typically resemble a common cold or flu. Often referred to as mono or kissing disease, mononucleosis can affect people of any age; not just teens and young adults. Albeit this is a common infection, there are still misconceptions surrounding it.

At Riverwalk Women’s Health in San Antonio, TX, we believe understanding your health is an important part of taking care of yourself. Whether you’re concerned about persistent fatigue or wondering how mono spreads, knowing the facts can make a difference.

Let’s explore five important things you should know about mononucleosis, including its symptoms, transmission, recovery, and when to seek medical attention.

Common Mononucleosis Symptoms

First, what exactly is (mono) mononucleosis? Mono is a contagious viral infection caused mostly by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family. However, it can also be caused by less common infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV). Mononucleosis symptoms include feeling tired, persistent sore throat, or swollen glands.

1. 95% Percentage of the Population Is Exposed to Mono

By the time individuals ready adulthood, up to 95% have been exposed to the virus that causes mono. Most cases of mononucleosis are caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus belonging to the herpesvirus family. Many people encounter this virus during childhood or their teenage years without even realizing it. Younger children often experience few symptoms, if any, making the infection easy to overlook.

Teenagers and young adults, particularly those between ages 15 and 24, are more likely to develop noticeable mono symptoms. These can include extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches. Because the virus spreads primarily through saliva, close personal contact and sharing drinks or utensils can increase exposure. This makes environments like high schools and college campuses common places for the infection to spread.

2. Mono Is Not as Contagious as Other Common Viruses

Mono is not as contagious as other common viruses, but you can continue to spread it even after you’ve recovered. It is considered a moderately contagious illness and is mostly spread through saliva. However, other such as COVID-19, colds, and flu are more transmissible than mono. This is because it requires larger droplets to spread and typically involves direct contact with an infected person.

Due to its mode of transmission, which is kissing, mono can also spread through sharing lip balm, water bottles, drinks, or eating utensils. Mononucleosis is highly contagious during the 2 to 4 weeks you have symptoms. But you can continue to shed the virus for weeks or even months after you start feeling better.

This means even after your symptoms have gone away, you can potentially continue to spread the virus. Mono has a longer incubation period than many other virus, which means it can take 4-8 weeks after exposure to the virus to develop any symptoms.

3. You Can’t Cure Mono

While there is no cure for mono, there are simple at-home remedies to help you feel better. For example, getting plenty of rest, drinking enough fluids, and eating nutritious foods can help your body fight the infection.

Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can help reduce fever, muscle aches, and throat discomfort. Gargling with warm salt water or using throat lozenges and sprays may also soothe a painful sore throat. Just remember to follow medication instructions and give your body the time it needs to recover.

4. Sports and Activities Should Be Restricted

Reducing your activity level during a mono infection and recovery is important to lower the risk of spleen injury. Mono can often cause an enlarged or swollen spleen, making it more fragile and prone to tears or rupture. Patients are typically advised to avoid athletic activity for approximately three weeks, followed by a gradual return to activity as advised by their healthcare provider. Most patients recover in 2-4 weeks and return to a normal activity level within 2-3 months.

5. After Recovery, the Mono Virus Remains in Your Body

Even though the mono virus remains in your body after recover, most people are immune to re-infection because the virus is in an inactive state. For most people, this does not cause ongoing symptoms or health problems. Your immune system develops lasting protection after the initial infection, making it uncommon to develop mono again. But for people with compromised immune systems, the virus can occasionally become active again.

How to Prevent Mono and Reduce the Spread

While there is no vaccine or foolproof way to prevent mono, there are simple steps you can take to lower your risks and prevent spreading it to others. Because mono is spread through saliva, avoid sharing cups, water bottles, food, utensils, toothbrushes, lip balms or other items that come into contact with your mouth. It’s also best to avoid kissing someone who has mono while they are recovering.

If you have mono, practicing good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes can also help reduce the spread of germs. Since the virus can remain in saliva for months after symptoms improve, continue taking precautions even after you feel better.

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