Where is mono found

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 because healthy people who have been infected with EBV in the past can carry and spread the infection periodically for the rest of their lives.

Almost all adults have been infected with EBV and have built up antibodies to fight the infection. People normally get mono only once in their lives.

The symptoms of mono rarely last for more than 4 months. The majority of people who have mono recover within 2 to 4 weeks. EBV appears to play a role in the development of these cancers. However, EBV is probably not the only cause. A mononucleosis spot test will determine if you have the Epstein-Barr virus. Find out what to expect and what the results mean. If you have diabetes, you'll likely experience fatigue at some point. We'll tell you what you need to know. White spots on the tonsils have several possible causes.

Learn more about causes and treatments. Lymph nodes are found throughout the body. Causes of swollen lymph nodes include immune disorders and infection.

Learn about treatment and much more. There are important differences between viral, fungal, and bacterial meningitis, in terms of their severity, how common they are, and the way they are…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Mono symptoms. Mono incubation period. Mono causes. Is mono contagious? Mono risk factors. Mono diagnosis. Mono treatment. Mono home remedies.

Mono complications. Mono flare-up. Mono in adults. Mono in children. Mono in toddlers. Mono relapse. Mono recurring. Gargle with salt water or use throat lozenges to soothe your sore throat. This is okay for children as long as they are old enough. Take acetaminophen such as Tylenol or ibuprofen such as Advil to reduce fever and relieve a sore throat and headaches.

Never give aspirin to someone younger than 18 years, because it can cause Reye syndrome , a serious illness. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting. Your spleen may be enlarged, and an impact or straining could cause it to burst. EBV lives and grows in the nose and throat. Any fluid that comes from these parts of the body, including saliva, tears, or mucus, can be infected with the virus. The virus EBV is spread when people come in contact with infected fluids.

EBV can be spread through intimate contact or sharing of saliva. A brief kiss on the lips is not likely to spread EBV. It is spread when saliva from an infected person gets into another person's mouth. You can get EBV if you share a drinking glass or eating utensils with an infected person through sharing saliva. In rare cases, someone can get an infection after receiving blood from a person who is infected with EBV. Most people get infected with EBV at some point in their lives but never get mono symptoms.

EBV "sleeps" is dormant in the body. It can become active from time to time and spread to others. When it reactivates, most people do not have symptoms. Many healthy people carry the virus and spread it every now and then throughout their lives. Contagious and incubation period You can pass the Epstein-Barr virus EBV to others for several weeks or months during and after the time you are first infected with EBV. The virus can also become active and spread to others from time to time throughout your life.

There is a small risk of spreading EBV through blood products. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for symptoms to develop after you come in contact with EBV. This is called the incubation period. The most common symptoms of mono are: Fever, which may range from Sore throat, often with white patches on the tonsils which may look like strep throat. Swollen lymph nodes all over the body, especially the lymph nodes in the neck. Swollen tonsils. Headache or body aches. Fatigue and a lack of energy. Loss of appetite.

Pain in the upper left part of the abdomen, which may mean that the spleen has become enlarged. What Happens Usually mono is a mild illness that goes away without treatment after several weeks. A sore throat is worst during the first 3 to 5 days and gradually improves over the next 7 to 10 days. Fever may last 10 to 14 days. Usually it is mild during the last 5 to 7 days. If you have a fever, you should stay home from work or school until the fever goes away.

You can then go back to your normal activities if you feel up to it. Swollen lymph nodes sometimes called swollen glands may last up to 4 weeks. It may take several weeks even months for your energy level to return to normal. Don't try to rush this process. Pushing yourself too hard could make you feel worse. Give your body the rest it needs. You are at increased risk of getting mono if you: Are age 15 to 24, especially if you are in close contact with many people.

In Canada, university students, nurses, and people in the military are most likely to get mono. Have intimate contact with a person who has mono or an active EBV infection.

Share drinking glasses, eating utensils, dishes, or a toothbrush with an infected person. A person does not have to have symptoms of mono to spread EBV.

When should you call your doctor? If you have been diagnosed with mono, seek care immediately if: You have severe pain in the upper left part of your abdomen. This may mean that your spleen has ruptured. Rupture of an enlarged spleen caused by mono is rare. It is most likely to happen because of a blow to the abdomen. Your tonsils become so swollen that you find it difficult to breathe or swallow.

If you have not been diagnosed with mono and have tried home treatment for 7 to 10 days, contact your doctor if you have: A lack of energy. Body aches. Swollen lymph nodes sometimes called swollen glands. Watchful waiting Most cases of mono do not require treatment, but you still need to take care of yourself until the illness goes away. Who to see Your family doctor , general practitioner , nurse practitioner , or child's pediatrician can diagnose and treat mono.

Examinations and Tests A medical history and physical examination are the most important ways a doctor can diagnose mono. Blood tests to help confirm the diagnosis include: Mononucleosis tests including the monospot test and EBV antibody test. It is possible for the monospot test to come back negative early in the course of the infection false negative. Complete blood count CBC.

A CBC may be done to rule out other infections or complications of mono. Liver tests may be done to find out whether the virus has affected your liver. If the mononucleosis test is negative, your doctor may test you for an infection with cytomegalovirus CMV or other organisms.

CMV can cause an illness that is like mono. Treatment Overview Usually no treatment for mono is needed other than self-care at home. Prevention The virus that causes mono Epstein-Barr virus isn't spread as easily as most people think.

Don't kiss or share dishes or eating utensils with someone who has mono. A brief kiss on the lips is not likely to spread Epstein-Barr virus. What are mononucleosis mono tests? Young children infected with EBV usually have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Types of mono tests include: Monospot test. This test looks for specific antibodies in the blood. These antibodies show up during or after during certain infections, including mono. EBV antibody test. This test looks for EBV antibodies, the main cause of mono. There are different types of EBV antibodies. If certain types of antibodies are found, it may mean you were infected recently. Other types of EBV antibodies may mean you were infected in the past.

What are they used for? Throat culture , to check for strep throat, which has similar symptoms to mono. Strep throat is a bacterial infection treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics don't work on viral infections like mono.

Why do I need a mono test? What happens during a mono test? You will need to provide a sample of blood from your fingertip or from a vein. Both types of tests are quick, usually taking less than five minutes. Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? You don't any special preparations for a fingertip blood test or blood test from a vein. Are there any risks to mono tests There is very little risk to having a fingertip blood test or blood test from a vein.

What do the results mean? While there is no cure for mono, you can take steps to relieve symptoms. These include: Get plenty of rest Drink lots of fluids Suck on lozenges or hard candy to soothe a sore throat Take over-the-counter relievers.

But don't give aspirin to children or teens because it may cause Reye syndrome , a serious, sometimes fatal, disease that affects the brain and liver. Is there anything else I need to know about mono tests? Atlanta: U. Cleveland OH : Cleveland Clinic; c