1. Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) Slideshow Pictures
2. Infectious Mononucleosis Medical Pictures Image Collection
3. Take the Quiz - Is it Contagious?

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Infectious mononucleosis (mono) facts
• What is infectious mononucleosis?
• What is the cause of mono?
• What are risk factors for mono?
• How is mono transmitted or 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?
• How can mono be prevented?
• Conclusion
• Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) - Slideshow
• Pictures of Infectious Mononucleosis - Image Collection
• Take the Quiz - Is it Contagious?
• Patient Comments: Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) - Treatments
• Infectious Mononucleosis Index

The initial symptoms of mono are

• a general lack of energy or malaise,
• fatigue,
• a loss of appetite,
• 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, which may be persistent,
• swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck area.

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

In addition to a fever from 102 F-104 F, the most common signs of mono are

• a very reddened throat and tonsils,
• swollen lymph glands in the neck that typically occur on both sides.

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 and abnormalities in liver function tests (blood tests) may be detected (see Complications, below). About 5% of patients have a splotchy red rash over the body, which has a similar appearance to the rash of measles. Early in the course of disease (over the first few days of illness), a temporary swelling (edema) of both upper eyelids may appear.