Mononucleosis: Cause, Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Time
by Melinda Burris
Coach McGill has an athlete who will be out for the next six weeks due to having contracted mononucleosis, commonly referred to simply as “mono”. In a Covid-ravaged world, he wondered if I could investigate this as an issue to raise awareness for athletes who train hard.
Obviously, unexpected health issues can cause young athletes to face disruptions in their training and hinder their ability to compete. Young hurdlers can be susceptible to mono, as the disease is most common in adolescents. It is characterized by extreme fatigue and often requires a long recovery time that can extend into weeks.
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What Is Mono and What Causes it?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mononucleosis or mono is classified as a disease caused by viruses including the most common strain, which is Epstein-Barr virus or EBV.1 The virus is transmitted through saliva, which is why mono is often referred to as the “kissing disease”. Exposure can also occur by sharing glass beverages or food utensils with someone who is a carrier of the disease.1
According to Johns Hopkins and the CDC, once a person contracts mononucleosis, the virus remains dormant in the throat and blood cells for the rest of the person’s life. As is the case with chickenpox, once someone has contracted mono the chances of a recurrence are low.1,2
Symptoms of Mono
Symptoms of mononucleosis usually become evident between 4-6 weeks after the individual has been infected. Symptoms frequently associated with mono include extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, the virus may cause an enlarged spleen.2
Most patients with mono recover within 2-4 weeks. However, some individuals may continue to experience fatigue for several weeks, in some cases, it can last for months. Mono and other conditions share similar symptoms, so it is important not to self-diagnose. Consult your healthcare provider to confirm whether you have mono.2
Children and adolescents are at a higher risk of contracting mono. Children who get mono often never show any symptoms. In contrast, teens and young adults tend to experience symptoms. Mono is common in young adults; statistically, one in four young adults infected with EBV comes down with mono. Additionally, around 90% of Americans are infected with the disease by the age of 35. While not all who contract the virus experience symptoms, some do carry the disease.3
There is no vaccine to protect against mononucleosis. To prevent infection, it is important not to exchange saliva with anyone who has mono or is suspected of having it. Refrain from sharing food, beverages, dishes, utensils, or personal items with anyone who has contracted the disease.3
Treatment for Mono
Common at-home remedies that help alleviate the symptoms of mono include drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and getting lots of rest. If you experience a fever, over-the-counter medications can help keep the fever down. Since this disease is from a viral strain, antibiotics are not effective in treating it. Antibiotics can only be used to treat bacterial infections, not viruses.3 Use the commonsense home care measures above and allow your body time to fight off the virus and build immunity to it.
Symptoms and Risks Associated with an Enlarged Spleen
As mentioned earlier, in some cases mono can cause the spleen to become swollen and enlarged. The spleen is an organ located in the upper left section of the abdomen. If it becomes enlarged, it can begin to filter normal blood cells out of the body in an attempt to purge the body of the virus and abnormal blood cells. The spleen going into overdrive this way can cause a lack of adequate oxygen supply for the body and cause damage to bodily organs and tissues. Some of the symptoms of an enlarged spleen include shortness of breath, weakness, nausea, and vomiting.5
It is vital that anyone with mono avoid strenuous exercise to avoid additional stress on the body. Contact sports are particularly dangerous as an enlarged spleen can rupture. If the spleen ruptures, it can cause a large amount of blood loss which can be life-threatening.5 For all these reasons and to promote a speedy recovery, athletes should avoid training or participation in competition until they are cleared by a healthcare provider to resume these activities.
Recovery Time
As stated previously, the symptoms of mononucleosis can lessen within a couple of weeks. Recovery times vary greatly from person to person. There are those who get infected and show no signs of it while others display all the symptoms known to be associated with mono. Listen to your healthcare provider and your body! Don’t try to rush the recovery process, doing so is likely to make the infection worse!
Takeaways
There are more than three million cases of mono diagnosed in the United States each year. Since the disease is from a viral strain, treatment and prevention options are limited.6 If after being diagnosed, you heed all the medical advice above and continue drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest, yet your symptoms worsen or you experience abdominal pain, go to a hospital and seek immediate medical care.
Instructions for Athletes and Others Diagnosed with Mono
Athletes who have contracted mono should advise their coach and trainer right away so they can begin the recovery process immediately and avoid contact with others. This is very important.
To avoid spreading the infection to fellow teammates, students, friends, and loved ones, anyone who has been diagnosed with mono should self-isolate. Focus on your recovery and be considerate of others by not taking any risk of exposing them to the virus.
References:
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (28 September 2020). About Infectious Mononucleosis.
- John Hopkins Medicine. (19 November 2019). Infectious Mononucleosis.
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d). Mononucleosis (mono): Symptoms, Treatment & Diagnosis.
- Preisler, S.R. (3 February 2021). Causes of an Enlarged Spleen: Mononucleosis and Beyond.
- Balfour, H. et al. (27 February 2015). Infectious Mononucleosis.
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