Mononucleosis (mono for short) is a common infection that usually affects teenagers and college students. Mono is highly contagious. It is generally spread by close contact or saliva, which is why it has been nicknamed the “kissing disease.”
Mono is generally a mild disease, but it can cause serious health problems for some people. People who think they may have mono can visit Local MD Urgent Care to get a simple blood test via finger-stick and learn what they need to do to avoid spreading the disease until they get better! Schedule an appointment at your closest location below.
Symptoms of Mononucleosis
Mono usually has a very slow onset. It begins with fatigue, general ill feeling, headache and sore throat. The sore throat usually gets worse and is followed by swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the neck and armpits. The swollen glands are usually painful to the touch. Other symptoms of mono may include:
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Drowsiness
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Enlarged Spleen
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Fever
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Headache
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Loss of Appetite
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Muscle Aches and Stiffness
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Rash
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Sensitivity to Light
Mononucleosis Testing
Mono is usually diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms and an exam done by a healthcare professional. Laboratory tests are not needed to diagnose mono, but they are often used to identify the underlying cause or to confirm that your condition really is mono.
Normal test results do not mean that you do not have mono. Normal test results might occur because the test was done too early after symptoms started or because the germ causing mono is not covered by the tests. A small number of people will never have a positive test even though they have mono.
There is no vaccine to protect against mono. If the condition is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may be prescribed. Certain types of antibiotics cannot be prescribed because they can cause unusual reactions in people with mono, but alternatives are available. If the condition is caused by a virus, you just have to wait for it to go away on its own. Antiviral medications do not work in the case of mono. One of the most important things to do if you think you have mono is to avoid spreading it to other people.
Mononucleosis Treatment
You need an accurate diagnosis to determine if you have mono, so visit Local MD Urgent Care for a full workup. A provider can take your medical history and perform the necessary testing to determine if you have mono. If you do have mono, your provider can answer any questions you have concerning complications and spreading of the disease. There is no medication to cure mono, but MinuteClinic providers are happy to talk with you about treatments that can make you feel better and reduce symptoms until you recover, such as rest.