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Infectious Mononucleosis
If you have been diagnosed with mono, seek care immediately if:
- You have severe pain in the upper left part of your abdomen. This may mean that your spleen has ruptured. Rupture of an enlarged spleen caused by mono is rare. It is most likely to happen because of a blow to the abdomen, but it may sometimes happen even without such an injury.5
- Your tonsils become so swollen that you find it difficult to breathe or swallow.
If you have not been diagnosed with mono and you have a severe sore throat that has lasted longer than 2 to 3 days after trying home treatment, call your doctor in 1 to 2 days.
If you have not been diagnosed with mono and have tried home treatment for 7 to 10 days, contact your doctor if you have:
- A lack of energy.
- Body aches.
- Swollen lymph nodes (sometimes called swollen glands).
Watchful Waiting
Most cases of mono do not require treatment, but you still need to take care of yourself until the illness goes away. You should see your doctor to make sure your symptoms are not caused by a treatable infection, such as strep throat. If it is certain you have mono:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Gargle with salt water or use throat lozenges to soothe your throat.
- Take nonprescription pain relievers to reduce fever and relieve a sore throat and headaches.
- Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting for 4 weeks after
you become ill with mono (or until a doctor tells you it is okay). Mono can
cause your
spleen
to enlarge, and these activities can increase
your risk for injuring your spleen.
Who To See
The following health professionals can diagnose and treat mono:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: September 29, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
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