{"id":1031,"date":"2017-06-30T10:45:27","date_gmt":"2017-06-30T10:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1031"},"modified":"2021-03-12T20:01:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T20:01:43","slug":"15-symptoms-mono","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-symptoms-mono\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Symptoms of Mono"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mono is actually short for \u2018infectious mononucleosis\u2019, a term that refers to a number of different symptoms that are normally caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It is most common in teenagers but can actually affect patients of any age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famously, mono is spread through saliva and so is quick to be passed between romantic partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, it is often referred to as \u2018the kissing disease\u2019. However, this is not the only way that the virus is spread and it can also come from blood contact, as well as being spread via coughing, sneezing or even sharing food and drinks with another person. Usually, it will take around 4-8 weeks for the symptoms to develop, which in turn can make it tricky to identify the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name \u2018kissing disease\u2019 may make Mono sound relatively harmless and indeed the condition is not usually serious and will go away on its own after a couple of months. However, it can still cause a number of unwanted symptoms and seeing as these symptoms can easily be confused with other conditions, it is worth learning to identify them and make a diagnosis. Note however that in children, Mono can actually go completely undetected. In fact, this is also the case with adults sometimes \u2013 and only around 35 to 50% of cases are likely to have noticeable symptoms. Don\u2019t worry though, if you don\u2019t notice any symptoms then Mono is harmless!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we will look at the 15 most common symptoms when they do occur, so you know what to look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Tiredness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, the symptoms of mono <\/a>can vary slightly depending on who is affected. Teens and young adults for example will be more likely to notice certain symptoms as compared with their older counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to studies, teenagers are most likely to experience extreme tiredness, leaving them less able to engage in their regular activities and perhaps feeling ill-motivated. They should take this as a sign to take things easy, as their immune system is working hard to drive out the infection and needs the rest. Tiredness is usually the longest-lasting symptom of mono. This can last for weeks or even months and might continue long after other symptoms have cleared up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>2.  Sore Throat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A sore throat <\/a>is among the most common symptoms of mono in teenagers and young adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This usually lasts for just several days, though it may last for up to two weeks. The throat may appear red on inspection and might become swollen, potentially causing wheezing, coughing and mucus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those affected by a sore throat may be able to nullify the symptoms somewhat by using cough sweets and medicine, by using steam inhalation to reduce swelling and by trying to withstand the temptation to cough as far as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>3.  Liver Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While teenagers are most likely to show symptoms like lethargy and sore throats, adults are far less likely to demonstrate these symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In patients over 40 however, liver problems are a common symptom. Inflammation <\/a>in the liver can lead to a range of other problems and this is likely to occur alongside inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, this is easy to mistake for other things, such as traumatic injury or even chronic liver disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>4.  Muscle Ache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another symptom that is more common in the older generation is muscle ache. Muscle aches are common alongside a fever but in this case, they can occur on their own. It can feel like general lethargy but focussed on the muscles <\/a>\u2013 as though you had done a big workout or walked a long distance. Engaging in regular tasks might become more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, these symptoms are relatively hard to spot and when you combine this with the lower incidence in the adult population, it\u2019s easy to see why mono has a reputation as being a \u2018teenage\u2019 illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This also further explains the \u2018kissing diseases\u2019 label, seeing as teenagers are also known for doing a lot of that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>5.  Cold\/Flu Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In very young children and babies, the symptoms of mono are once again slightly different and they tend to be less easy to spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, the symptoms of mono will be very similar to a mild cold or flu<\/a> with the main symptoms being a sore throat and potentially a fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is thought that the virus is most likely to spread to children if the adults passed it from a previous infection. This means that the \u2018amount\u2019 of the virus remaining may be lower, resulting in the relatively mild symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>6.  Swollen Glands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swollen glands are another symptom <\/a>that is more common in the younger adult population. Teenagers and those in their twenties are likely to notice that they have swollen lymph nodes on either side of the neck, just below the jaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lymph nodes have the job of helping to remove toxins from the body and these can become swollen when they are affected by the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feel under your chin and if you notice the swelling, then this could also point to mono.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.  Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Again, most common in teenagers and young adults is the presence of a rash<\/a>. This does not always occur, but when it does it is likely to appear pinkish and similar to a measles rash. The rash might appear all over the torso and arms and might be fairly dense \u2013 or it might be less noticeable and only visible in a small area of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also possible to get a mono with no rash, so if you don\u2019t notice the rash, this doesn\u2019t rule out mono as a potential cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>8.  Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fever is a relatively common symptom of any infection. This is no different in cases of mono, at least for the younger population. In fact, a fever is likely to be one of the very first symptoms of the kissing disease and can cause chills, cold sweats and general discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not be alarmed by the fever itself. This is not harmless and is actually caused by your own body trying to drive out the virus by making your body less hospitable. However, it\u2019s worth noting that this can become dangerous if the temperature gets too high, or if the condition leads to dehydration<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best course of action is to watch the temperature closely and to drink lots of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>9.  Swollen Tonsils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom that you tend to see alongside an infection and alongside a sore throat, is swollen tonsils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can make it harder to eat and drink and it can be rather painful as well. In rare cases, the swelling can reach the point that the tonsils are making it difficult to breathe and in that case, you should seek a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you look inside the mouth, you may notice the swelling <\/a>and that the redness in the throat is actually somewhat similar to the pinkish rash that might be on the exterior of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>10.  Brain Fog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common side effect of any infection is brain fog. The reason for this is that the body is producing chemicals designed to incite inflammation called \u2018pro-inflammatory cytokines\u2019. These are what might be causing the swelling in the throat, thereby hampering the movement of the virus through the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These same cytokines <\/a>can also have an impact on the brain however, causing mild inflammation that will make it difficult to think straight and that can cause you to struggle with focus and attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is another reason to take some time out from your usual activities and to give your body time to heal! Time to open up that box set\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>11.  Headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alongside other common sytmpoms, mono can cause a headache that is likely to re-occur until you manage to clear the infectious mononucleosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headache <\/a>in this case is a secondary symptom, likely caused by the infection, the coughing and the general sensation of your body trying to fight an infection. However, if the headache is acute and you notice that you also have a rash, then you might want to check with your doctor to ensure that this isn\u2019t caused by meningitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some rare cases, headaches can be the result of meningitis!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12.  Red Spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A common symptom of mono that is less well-known is the appearance of small red spots inside the mouth. These may be found on the insides of the lips, or on the roof of the mouth and they can resemble bruises or ulcers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These can be painful and make it difficult to eat or drink. A doctor might recommend analgesics <\/a>in order to help you overcome the discomfort while at the same time you might wish to use a topical application of painkillers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>13.  Painful Abdomen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a relatively rarer condition, but some individuals might find that they experience a soreness in the upper abdomen if they as suffering from mono.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is caused by a swollen spleen, which is one potential complication of mononucleosis. Often this appears around 21 days after the initial symptoms of mono and it\u2019s important to look out for symptoms of a ruptured spleen<\/a>, which include things such as a yellowish discoloration on the face and eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>14.  Contagion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Considering the contagious nature of mono, this can be a useful tool for identifying the condition. If you notice that your partner is developing similar symptoms to you, then of course it is possible that this is a result of mono.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, one of the reasons that teenagers are thought to have more serious symptoms of mono is that they are more likely to engage in prolonged sessions of \u2018deep\u2019 kissing with strangers, whereas adults tend to pick up the condition from coughing<\/a> and sneezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is thought that more of the virus might be transmitted in the former scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15.  Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When self-diagnosing any condition, it is also important to consider the risk factors. If you\u2019ve recently met someone new for instance, or you kissed a stranger in a club, then mono becomes more likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you fall into the necessary age bracket likewise, then it might also become more likely that mono is the cause behind your discomfort<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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