Virtual Children's Hospital: CQQA: Mono

Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Mono (Mononucleosis)

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: January 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

What is mononucleosis?

What causes mono?

Who can get mono?

What are the symptoms of mono?

Most young children with mono do not show symptoms.
Infants may have general symptoms, such as fever or loss of appetite. They may appear more tired than usual.
Older children and adults may have a fever, feel tired, or have swollen neck glands.
Mono can cause a sore throat and sore muscles.
Mono can make the spleen larger (an organ on the left side of the body under the ribs). If your child has an enlarged spleen, she may feel sharp pain in the upper left of her stomach.
Loss of appetite and weakness is common in adolescents.
Mono can cause nausea, headache, stiffness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.

Is mono contagious?

Yes. Mono is contagious.
It is spread by contact with the saliva or mucus of an infected person.
It can be spread by sharing eating utensils and drinking glasses.
It can also be spread by coughing, sneezing, and kissing. Mono is sometimes called, "the kissing disease."
Mono is easily spread in households and among school children.
Most adults are immune to mono after age 18 (their body fights the virus so they don't get sick).
After a person has mono once, she will not usually get it again. The body protects itself from the virus. Direct contact with an infected person is still not advised.

How is mono treated?

If your child has symptoms of mono, she should be seen by a doctor.
Medication is not usually needed. Mono will go away on its own.
Talk to your doctor if symptoms do not go away, if they get worse, or if new symptoms show up.
The best treatment is to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help ease symptoms.
Never give aspirin to children without talking to a doctor first. It is bad for their liver.
Adolescents who have mono are often too tired to get out of bed. They need rest.
In some cases, especially in children with very swollen throats, medicine may be prescribed.
Antibiotics are not used to treat mono because it is caused by a virus. They will help only if your child has a bacterial infection along with her mono, such as strep throat.

How long does mono last?

Symptoms usually last two to four weeks.
Adolescents may feel tired for weeks or even months.
Your child can return to school or daycare when she feels well enough to do her normal activities.
Check with the doctor to see if your child can return to sports and physical activity.
Adolescents are often advised to avoid physical activity for at least 1 month.
Sometimes, mono can lead to other problems. Most of these problems involve having a low number of blood cells or problems with the spleen.

How can mono be prevented?

Avoid close contact with an infected person. Do not share eating and drinking items.
Wash hands often.

When should I call the doctor?

Call your doctor if your child has symptoms of mono.
Call the doctor if your child has pain in her stomach.
Call your doctor before your child returns to sports and other physical activities.
Call if you have questions or concerns about your child's condition.

Quick Answers

Mononucleosis is an illness that is more commonly called mono.
Mono is caused by the EBV virus, found in saliva (spit) and mucus.
In the United States, mono is most common in people ages 15-35.
Most young children with mono do not show symptoms. It may cause fever, loss of appetite, sore throat, swollen neck glands, and sore muscles.
If your child has symptoms of mono she should be seen by a doctor. Medication is not usually needed. Mono will go away on its own.
Symptoms usually last two to four weeks.
To prevent getting mono, avoid close contact with an infected person.
If your child had mono, call your doctor before she returns to sports and other physical activities.

References

American Academy of Family Physicians. Mononucleosis. FamilyDoctor.org. 2000 August (cited 2001 December 7). Available from: URL: http://www.familydoctor.org/handouts/077.html
CDC. Infectious Mononucleosis in the Child Care Setting. 1997 January (cited 2001 December 7). Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/abc/facts23.htm
Klein, J MD and Rutherford K MD. Infectious Mononucleosis. KidsHealth. 2001 October (cited 2001 December 7). Available from: http://www.kidshealth.org/Pagemanager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=&article_set=22788

http://www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/pediatrics/cqqa/mono.html