Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis is a viral infection which causes a sore throat, fever, swollen glands and tonsils, weakness and fatigue. Even after the sore throat and fever have subsided, mononucleosis can leave a person feeling exhausted for weeks or in some cases months. Adults usually have an immunity to the virus that causes mononucleosis, the Epstein-Barr virus, so it is most commonly found in adolescents and young adults. If a child gets mononucleosis the symptoms are usually mild.CDC: Epstein-Barr Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Loss of voice

The mononucleosis virus is found in saliva and mucus so it is harder to spread than other types of viruses like a cold. It is most commonly passed through kissing, hence its nickname the kissing disease, though it sometimes can be passed on through other means such as coughing or sharing eating utensils. Normally, a person only gets mononucleosis once, and the body develops an immunity. The symptoms of the disease develop about four to six weeks after exposure.CDC: Epstein-Barr Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have mononucleosis, please consult your doctor.