#Symptoms of mono in adults how to

RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Winter WellnessĪnother condition that often gets confused with mono is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). But people get mono all year long, he adds. People tend to come down with a cold or the flu in the cooler months, says Dr. “For doctors, the most common indicator of mono is fatigue,” says Hank Balfour, MD, professor of laboratory medicine and pathology, as well as pediatrics, at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis.Īnother indication that the infection may be mono versus a cold or flu is when the symptoms occur. For instance, if someone still has a sore throat, fever, and rash by day seven, it’s likely a sign that they have mono rather than a cold or strep, says Ramilo.

#Symptoms of mono in adults how to

RELATED: All About Symptoms of Strep Throat and How to Get Diagnosedīut there are telltale signs that point to mono. Mononucleosis is frequently mistaken for other illnesses, such as strep throat, chronic fatigue, or another infection because the symptoms can overlap, Ramilo says. Symptoms of mono that get worse or do not go away after two to four weeks (4, 9).Decreased urine output (a sign of dehydration).Difficulty breathing or swallowing (caused by enlarged tonsils).This danger is a key reason why doctors urge anyone with mono to avoid any sports or activities that require any physical contact or strain. Sudden and sharp pains in the upper left side of your abdomen - this could be an indication that your spleen may be ruptured and you need to seek medical attention right away.Whether you’ve been diagnosed with mono or not, these are the symptoms that warrant an immediate call to your doctor or seeking emergency care right away: If you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned mono symptoms and they persist for more than a few days, especially if any are severe or not showing signs of getting better, it’s a good idea to see your doctor, who can test you for mono and rule out other illnesses. RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About the Cold and Flu But other cases of mono - particularly those in individuals who have weakened immune systems - can potentially be life-threatening. Johannsen says (as might be the case in young children). It’s worth noting that sometimes mono symptoms can be so mild that they may get mistaken for the common cold or flu, and clear up on their own without further medical attention or an actual diagnosis, Dr. The good news is that most people recover completely after resting in about two to four weeks without long-term complications, though some people may feel tired and not be able to fully resume their normal activities for several more weeks. When someone gets mono, it can be debilitating. ( 2, 3, 4) As many as 25 percent of teens and young adults who become infected with EBV develop infectious mononucleosis. (1)Īnyone can get mono at any age - even young children - but it’s most prevalent in teens and college-aged young adults, and tends to be more severe the older you get. As many as 90 to 95 percent of adults have been infected with EBV, says Eric Johannsen, MD, an associate professor of infectious disease at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, who specializes in EBV. ( 1)ĮBV, mono’s primary driver, is extremely common - so much so that not having been infected with EBV is much rarer than being infected by it at some point. Infectious mononucleosis is primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other infections, such as cytomegalovirus or toxoplasmosis, can cause the disease, too.

Mononucleosis, also called “mono” or “the kissing disease,” is a contagious viral infection that can leave you feeling absolutely wiped out - as if you’re fighting the worst cold or flu you’ve ever had.