Although mono is often called “kissing disease,” you don’t have to kiss anyone to catch it — and it doesn’t only strike love-struck teenagers and young adults. Mono, short for infectious mononucleosis, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and you can get it from any kind of contact with an infected person’s saliva.
We’re here to clear up the myths around mono. In this blog, we’ll go over common symptoms, how mono spreads, and when you should get tested.
Mono is caused by becoming infected with EBV, which is one of the most widespread viruses in the world. Most people are exposed to EBV before adulthood, often without any noticeable symptoms. Those who do get sick typically recover within two to four weeks, though recovery can sometimes take longer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least one in four teenagers and young adults who get infected with EBV will develop mono. However, there is good news: most people only get EBV-related mono once. After infection, the virus becomes inactive in your body for the rest of your life, although symptoms can occasionally return years later.
The virus can stay in the saliva of an infected person for many months, even after they have recovered. This can make it easy to spread through close contact. Here are the most common ways mono can be transmitted beyond kissing:
Sipping from the same cup or passing around a shared straw can transfer saliva and the virus along with it. Toothbrushes and similar items that come into contact with saliva can also carry the virus if shared.
Saliva droplets released during coughing or sneezing can reach people nearby through close contact.
The virus may remain active on surfaces as long as the saliva is moist. Touching a contaminated object and then your mouth or face could put you at risk for infection.
Yes, any activity involving contact with infected saliva can potentially transmit the virus, not just kissing.
Yes. People with mono can be contagious before they even know they have it. It can take one to two months for symptoms to appear after exposure, and some people never develop symptoms at all. They can still pass the virus to others.
People with active symptoms are contagious, but exactly how long they remain contagious after symptoms resolve isn’t fully known. The virus stays in the body for life and can reactivate at any point, with or without noticeable symptoms.
Washing your hands frequently is a practical step you can take to lower your risk. However, because there is no vaccine for mono, the best way to prevent it is to steer clear of anyone who is infected.
Mono is not typically classified as an airborne illness. While some viruses can spread through particulates suspended in the air, mono is restricted to saliva droplets released through coughing, sneezing, or close face-to-face contact.
If you or your child has been feeling run down and the symptoms aren’t improving the way you’d expect, it may be worth considering mono as a possibility.
Mono can look a lot like strep throat, the flu, and other viral infections. For example, fatigue, sore throat, and fever are common across all of these conditions. That overlap can make it hard to know what’s actually going on unless you come into a center to get tested.
A mononucleosis spot test, often called a monospot test, uses a blood sample to check for antibodies that appear during or after a mono infection. A positive result makes it very likely that you have mono. If the result comes back negative, your provider may recommend repeating the test one to two weeks later, since the test can sometimes be performed too early in the illness to detect the antibodies.
A healthcare provider may also order a complete blood count (CBC) to look for changes in your lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that responds in a specific way during mono.
All vybe urgent care centers offer mono testing and can also test for other conditions with similar symptoms, like strep throat, so you can get the answers and care you need.
Antibiotics will not be prescribed, as they’re not used in treating viruses. Instead, your treatment plan will include:
If your lymph nodes or tonsils are swollen to the point that they interfere with your breathing, a healthcare provider may prescribe steroid medication.
Life’s too busy to let an unexpected illness derail you.
All vybe clinics have licensed medical professionals with a wide range of healthcare knowledge, and we’re open seven days a week. Walk in or schedule an appointment at your local vybe urgent care today to get tested for mono and more.
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