In this Article

• What is infectious mononucleosis ("mono")?
• How is mono spread?
• What are the symptoms of mono?
• What are the signs of mono?
• How is mono diagnosed?
• What is the usual course and treatment of mono?
• What are the complications of mono?
• Conclusion
• Infectious Mononucleosis At A Glance
• Infectious Mononucleosis Glossary
• Infectious Mononucleosis Index

What are the symptoms of mono?

The initial symptoms of mono are:

• a general lack of energy or malaise,
• a loss of appetite, and
• chills.

These initial symptoms can last from one to three days before the more intense symptoms of the illness begin. The more common intense symptoms include:

• a severe sore throat,
• fever, and
• swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck area.

It is typically the severe sore throat that prompts people to contact their doctor.

What are the signs of mono?

In addition to a fever from 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the most common signs of mono are:

• a very reddened throat and tonsils and
• swollen lymph glands in the neck.

The tonsils have a whitish coating in at least one-third of the cases. The spleen (sometimes referred to as the body's biggest lymph node), is an organ found in the left upper abdomen underneath the rib cage which becomes enlarged or swollen in about 50% of patients with mono. An enlarged liver may also occur. About 5% of patients have a splotchy red rash over the body, which has a similar appearance to the rash of measles.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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