About Mono

Do I Have Mono?

"I woke up this morning with the worst sore throat I've ever had. My neck glands are a little swollen and sore. I'm more tired than usual and, like, I sort of ache all over."

Common Symptoms of Mono include:

• • Inflammation of the back of the throat

  • Swollen lymph nodes

  • Extreme fatigue

  • Fever

  • Sore throat

  • Headache

  • Swollen spleen

What Causes Mono?

Mono is caused almost always by your first infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is a member of the human herpesvirus family. Once you acquire EBV, it remains with you but rarely causes problems after you recover from Mono. Most people acquire EBV from kissing, which has earned it the name of the "kissing disease."

I Might Have Mono! What Do I Do?

If you think you might have Mono, go to the student health service or your personal medical clinic and let them check you out. Doctors can't tell for sure if you have Mono just by examining you, but they can order blood tests such as a "Monospot" to confirm your diagnosis. If you have Mono, they will want to follow you carefully while your illness lasts, which is usually 2 to 3 weeks. They may prescribe some medications to help you feel better, but there is no proven specific treatment. The best advice for Mono patients is to take it as easy as possible until your symptoms go away.