When do mono symptoms occur

Find out more about home remedies for mono. Mono is typically not serious. In some cases, people who have mono get secondary infections such as strep throat , sinus infections , or tonsillitis. In rare cases, some people may develop the following complications:. You should wait at least 1 month before doing any vigorous activities, lifting heavy objects, or playing contact sports to avoid rupturing your spleen, which may be swollen from the infection.

A ruptured spleen in people who have mono is rare, but it is a life-threatening emergency. Call your doctor immediately if you have mono and experience a sharp, sudden pain in the upper left part of your abdomen. Hepatitis liver inflammation or jaundice yellowing of the skin and eyes may occasionally occur in people who have mono.

Mono symptoms like fatigue, fever, and a sore throat usually last for a few weeks. In rare cases, the symptoms can flare up months or even years later. EBV, which usually is what causes a mono infection, remains in your body for the rest of your life.

It occurs less commonly in adults over the age of Older adults with mono will usually have a fever but may not have other symptoms such as a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, or an enlarged spleen.

Children can become infected with mono by sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or by being near an infected person who coughs or sneezes.

Because children may only have mild symptoms, such as a sore throat, a mono infection may go undiagnosed. Children who are diagnosed with mono can usually continue to attend school or day care. They may need to avoid some physical activities while they recover. Children with mono should wash their hands frequently, especially after sneezing or coughing. Learn more about the mono symptoms in children. Most people are infected with EBV early in life.

As with older children, toddlers can become infected with mono by sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses. They can also become infected by putting toys in their mouths that have been in the mouths of other children with mono. Toddlers with mono rarely have any symptoms.

If they do have a fever and sore throat, it may be mistaken for a cold or the flu. If your doctor suspects your toddler has mono, they will probably recommend that you make sure your child gets rest and plenty of fluids. Get a better understanding of the risk of mono relapse. Most people have mono only once. In rare cases, the symptoms can recur due to a reactivation of EBV. This is a serious condition in which the mono symptoms persist longer than 6 months. Mono is almost impossible to prevent.

This is called the incubation period. You can pass the virus to other people through your saliva for up to three months after your symptoms subside. Some studies have reported that you may still be contagious for up to 18 months.

EBV spreads from person to person through saliva and other bodily fluids. If you kiss a person who has the virus — or you share personal items like utensils, glasses, food, or lip balm — you can become infected. You can also catch mono if someone who is sick coughs or sneezes close to you. Teens and young adults are most likely to get sick with mono symptoms.

If your symptoms worsen or persist for more than a day or two, make an appointment to see your doctor. If you have diabetes, you'll likely experience fatigue at some point. We'll tell you what you need to know. When children are infected with the virus, they usually do not experience any noticeable symptoms. However, uninfected adolescents and young adults who come in contact with the virus may develop an illness very similar to infectious mononucleosis.

However, even after the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis have disappeared, the EBV will remain dormant in the throat and blood cells during that person's lifetime.

The virus can reactivate periodically, however, usually without symptoms. Mononucleosis usually lasts for 1 to 2 months. The following are the most common symptoms of mononucleosis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:. Liver involvement, such as mild liver damage that can cause temporary jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin bile pigmentation in the bloodstream.

Exp Ther Med. Herold J, Grimaldo F. Epstein-Barr Virus-induced Jaundice. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. Kimura H, Cohen JI. Front Immunol. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Stage 1: Prodrome. Stage 2: Acute Phase. Stage 3: Convalescent Phase. Mononucleosis Timeline. Long-Term Effects of Mono. How Long Is Mono Contagious? How to Avoid Mono The best way to avoid getting mono is to avoid kissing or sharing drinks, food, or personal items with people who have the virus.

What Medical Conditions Affect the Spleen? Can You Have Chronic Mono? Does Mononucleosis Cause Lymphoma? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

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