What makes mono better

It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks after exposure for mono symptoms to appear. So are you contagious during this time? Is it possible to contract EBV more than once? And does that mean you can get mono…. Mono rash is one symptom of the viral infection, mononucleosis.

The more common symptoms are fever, fatigue, and a sore throat. If you have these…. Epstein-Barr is one of the most common viruses that affects humans. We'll go over the basics of Epstein-Barr virus infections and explore the link….

A mononucleosis spot test will determine if you have the Epstein-Barr virus. Find out what to expect and what the results mean. Technically, yes, mono can be considered a sexually transmitted infection STI. The virus that…. Mono treatment consists mainly of rest, fluids, and pain relief. Since mono is a viral infection, it's usually caused by the Epstein-Bar virus….

The singer and actor shares why using the "time in range" metric to help manage his type 1 diabetes has been a "life-changing" discovery. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Treatment Symptoms Home remedies How long does it last? Preventing mono Takeaway Mono mononucleosis is also called infectious mononucleosis. Mono usually affects teenagers and young adults, but anyone can get it.

Like the common cold, a virus causes mono. In some teens, though, the tiredness and weakness can last for months.

When you start feeling better, take it slow and don't overdo it. Although you can return to school after your fever is gone, you may still feel tired. Your body will tell you when it's time to rest — listen to it. By taking good care of yourself and resting as much as you need to, you will soon be back to normal, usually within a few weeks. There is no vaccine to protect against the Epstein-Barr virus. But you can help protect yourself by avoiding close contact with anyone who has it.

If you have mono, don't share the virus with your friends and family as you recover. Wash your hands well and often, sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow not your hands , and keep your drinks and eating utensils to yourself. This is one time when your friends and family will thank you for being selfish. 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. But for some, it may take several months before they regain their normal energy levels.

In severe cases, corticosteroids may be used to reduce swelling of the throat, tonsils, or spleen. This type of steroid use may also decrease the overall length and severity of illness from infectious mono.

For more information, see Home Treatment. The virus that causes mono Epstein-Barr virus isn't spread as easily as most people think. If you follow these tips, you can reduce the chance of spreading or catching mono. Self-care is usually all that is needed if you have mono. Unless you have a serious complication of mono which rarely occurs , no medicine or treatment will speed your recovery.

Most people who have mono recover without problems. There are many steps you can take to ease the symptoms until you are back to normal. Your symptoms will gradually improve over 2 to 3 weeks. You should be able to return to your normal activities within about a month. Let your symptoms be your guide. You may need to adjust your school and work schedule to take advantage of times when you feel more energetic.

If you feel better, try to get back to your routine sooner. But remember not to push yourself. There are no specific medicines used to treat mono. Over-the-counter medicines may be used to help treat the symptoms of mono.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, including acetaminophen such as Tylenol and ibuprofen such as Advil , may be used to relieve headaches and a sore throat. Do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 20, because its use has been linked with Reye syndrome , a serious illness. Taking antibiotics such as amoxicillin or ampicillin may cause a rash in many people who have mono.

A rash caused by antibiotics can often be a first sign that the person has mono. Antiviral drugs do not improve the symptoms of mono or shorten the length of the illness.

Nonprescription medicines are commonly used to relieve symptoms, but they do not shorten the duration of the illness. There is no surgical treatment for mono. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove a ruptured spleen if this complication occurs. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative.

This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico. Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Overview Medicare Coverage Options. Broker Resources. Individuals and Families. Health and Wellness. Wellness Library.

Mononucleosis Mono. Spleen Swollen lymph nodes swollen glands. Topic Overview What is mononucleosis? What causes mono? What are the symptoms? How is mono diagnosed? How is it treated? Get plenty of rest.

You need bed rest until you feel well enough to be up. This could keep you away from school or work for a little while. Gargle with salt water or use throat lozenges to soothe your sore throat. Seek the help of friends and family as you recover from mononucleosis.

College students should also contact the campus student health center staff for assistance or treatment, if necessary. If you suspect you have mononucleosis, see your family doctor. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor. Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For mononucleosis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Physical exam Your doctor may suspect mononucleosis based on your signs and symptoms, how long they've lasted, and a physical exam. Blood tests Antibody tests. If there's a need for additional confirmation, a monospot test may be done to check your blood for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus.

This screening test gives results within a day. But it may not detect the infection during the first week of the illness. A different antibody test requires a longer result time, but can detect the disease even within the first week of symptoms. White blood cell count.