Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) - Symptoms
For infectious mononucleosis (mono), what were the symptoms and signs you experienced?
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What are the symptoms of mono?
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.
See what others are saying
My doctor thinks I have mono, but since my onset of symptoms are so new, she isn't testing me for it yet. I started out having fatigue, then joint pain in my fingers, hands, and arms. When my throat started to hurt, I thought I had strep, but the test came back negative. The glands in my neck are very swollen and tender, and my tonsils are so swollen they are touching. The doctor prescribed predinsone for the swelling, and a Z-pack just in case there is something bacterial going on. I also have upper stomach pain, but not real bad. Mostly I just want to sleep. Ibuprofen is a HUGE help, as it lessens the pain in my throat, and joint pains. Last night my fever broke, as I started to get sweaty and clammy. Today I am working, still tired, but not in extreme pain. I am a female, and 42 years old.
I found out I had mono about 2 months ago. I've always slept a lot like any normal 18 year old but I had been getting so tired I would sleep for 12 hours and still be exhausted when I woke up. One morning I woke up to the worst sore throat I have ever had and very swollen glands in my neck. I went to my doctor a few days later and she immediately sent me to an ear nose and throat doctor because my tonsils were so swollen they were almost closing my throat. The ENT doctor took one look and said it was mono. I was put on steroids amoxicillin and pain medication. It hurt too much to swallow my own spit let alone any meds and all I could do was basically drool to avoid swallowing. I was brought to the emergency room. I was down to 97 pounds with no strength or energy left. Out of school and work for a month. Now 2 months later I have relapsed and am very sick again. All of the same symptoms are back and worse. Tonsils will be coming out but that won't get rid of the mono. Aches and pains and swollen glands and UTI are back. This has been the worst illness I've experienced ever. I pray it goes away but I know that won't be happening anytime soon.
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