Mono Health Video

Mononucleosis, the kissing disease, strikes mostly children and adolescents, resulting in fatigue, soreness, and fever. Learn more about mono in this health video.

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Get plenty of rest
Drink plenty of fluids
Avoid sports-related activities
Seek medical attention

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

DR. SUSAN MCGLADDERY: Hello, my name is Dr. Sue McGladdery. I'm the medical director from FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to talk to you briefly about mononucleosis. Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, EBV. It's a very common virus that most kids are exposed to at some point. Infants and young children with mono tend to have very mild symptoms, but teenagers and young adults often get it much worse. How is it spread? Well, it spreads through coughing, sneezing, and commonly in teenagers through kissing contacts, hence, it's also known as the "kissing disease." What are the symptoms of mononucleosis? At first, it's often mistaken for flu or strep throat. Other symptoms can include things like headaches, sore muscles, skin rash, and painful swollen glands in the neck. There maybe abdominal pain due to enlarged liver and spleen. The symptoms are very variable from mild to severe infection. Mostly, the mono symptoms will clear within 2 to 4 weeks, but for some people, the enlarged lymph nodes and the enlargement of the spleen can last for much longer. And especially in teenagers and young adults, the fatigue and the weakness of mono can last for months. One important thing about mono, children with mono should avoid sports for at least a month after the symptoms have gone. The reason for this is that the spleen often enlarges temporarily during the course of the illness, and an enlarged spleen can rupture easily causing bleeding, abdominal pain, and may even require emergency surgery. What about treatment for mono? Well, the best thing is plenty of rest, fluids, and symptomatic medications is needed. Things like acetaminophen or paracetamol, Ibuprofen, they can all help relieve the fever and the aching muscles. You should remember never to give aspirin to kids with a viral illness, because rarely it's been linked to a condition known as Reye's syndrome which may lead to liver failure and even to death. Can we prevent mono? Not yet. There's no vaccine.

Mono Health Video

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