


The most common symptoms of mono include: Tiredness and trouble thinking may last for months longer. Symptoms of mono can take between 4 to 6 weeks to appear. Some may develop symptoms. EBV causes symptoms more often. Most healthy people who get the CMV virus have few or no symptoms. What are the symptoms of mono in a teen or young adult? It's hard to keep it from spreading because even people with no symptoms can carry the virus in their saliva and infect other people. But it can also be spread through blood or other body fluids. Mono is most often spread by contact with infected spit (saliva). It may also be caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Both viruses are members of the herpes simplex virus family. Mono is often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is also known as mononucleosis, mono, glandular fever, or the “kissing disease.” What causes mono in a teen or young adult? Not sure if it’s mono? Come see the experts at Lifespan Urgent Care.Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) in Teens and Young Adults What is infectious mononucleosis in teens and young adults?Infectious mononucleosis is a contagious illness. Almost all adults have been naturally infected by age 35 and have built up antibodies to protect from the infection. Presently, there is no commercial vaccine against the disease. Mono is nearly impossible to prevent because the virus stays in your system for life after symptoms, it is possible that it can be spread years after the initial onset, giving mono a constant reservoir of the virus. The infection is inactive, but it is possible to reactivate without symptoms and in turn, can be spread to others, though this is quite rare. Mononucleosis/EBV remains dormant in your body’s immune system cells for life, but your body’s immune system will remember it and protect you from getting it again. Rarely, it may cause swelling of the spleen, which requires those affected to rest and refrain from contact sports and heavy lifting for a few weeks. Some people report that even the common cold worsens in severity of symptoms after having mono. Mono, while not serious and very common, can contribute to the cause of secondary infections in the future, such as strep throat, sinus infections, or tonsillitis. Most people recover from mono after about two weeks, though some symptoms may persist for longer. Gherardi suggests that you take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fever, sore throat, or other discomforts but may prescribe a corticosteroid medication to reduce tonsil swelling. There is no specific treatment, so doctors mainly aim to ease symptoms. It is best to treat mono with hydration and rest. If further tests are required to give a definitive diagnosis, your doctor will take a blood sample to check for abnormal white blood cells or antibodies that are actively fighting the illness. This may also include a throat culture to rule out strep throat, of which symptoms are similar. When you see your physician after experiencing symptoms, you will likely be given a complete physical exam. Swollen lymph glands in your neck and/or underarms.The incubation period of the virus is between 4-5 weeks, and symptoms can last between one and two months. If you catch mono, symptoms will not begin immediately. While it is often referred to as the kissing disease, you can also spread the virus by sharing utensils, food, or drinks, or if an infected person sneezes or coughs near you. The infection can be spread through bodily fluids, usually through contaminated saliva and respiratory secretions. “However, adolescents and young adults are typically more affected by mono and usually show more of the classic symptoms.” common cold) rather than mono,” says Olivier Gherardi, DO, medical director of Lifespan Urgent Care. “Younger children tend to show milder symptoms when affected with IM and are often diagnosed with a viral illness (e.g. Most people get infected with EBV at some point in their lives, with about 85% of adult Americans contracting the virus by age 40.

Infectious Mononucleosis (IM) refers to a group of symptoms usually caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that many are exposed to in childhood. Read on to learn more about the virus, its causes and symptoms, and what to do to treat it. The virus is spread through saliva and often travels quickly through groups of people who are living in close quarters, making outbreaks happen most frequently in dormitory living. Mononucleosis is known as the “kissing disease,” but what is it, exactly? Commonly referred to as “mono,” this infection typically occurs in teens and young adults.
