Is Mononucleosis (Mono) Contagious?

What is mono (mononucleosis)?

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Mono (mononucleosis) is an infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is spread person to person, usually through saliva.

• Mono (also termed mononucleosis or infectious mononucleosis) is a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
• Children are commonly infected with EBV and show few or no symptoms.
• Older individuals, teenagers, and adults may show symptoms when infected.
• These consist mainly of fatigue, fever, inflamed throat, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Infected people may also have a rash, swollen liver, or enlarged spleen. Most of the symptoms get better within two to four weeks, but some people can be fatigued for several months.
• The EBV virus can become inactive after infection, and some people reactivate EBV infection even years later.

Mono Complications

Fortunately, the more severe complications of mono are quite rare, and mono is very rarely fatal in healthy people. The rare severe complications include destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) and inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis), the heart muscle itself (myocarditis), and the brain (encephalitis). Mono tends to be more aggressive in patients with abnormal immune systems, such as people with AIDS or those who are taking medications that suppress immune function.

Read more about mono complications »

Is mono contagious?

• Mono is contagious from person to person, especially via an infected person's saliva.
• Other transmission methods include blood, semen, blood transfusions, and organ transplants.
• Unfortunately, EBV can also be spread by contact with objects like toothbrushes or eating utensils that are contaminated with EBV.
• Mono can be spread to babies, children, and adults.
• Individuals who have mono can be contagious without the characteristic symptoms of fever, fatigue, or swollen glands; some people can be contagious during the incubation period when no symptoms are present.

What are mono symptoms?

Symptoms of mononucleosis or EBV infection may include some or most of the following symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Inflamed throat
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Enlarged spleen and/or liver
• Rash

Many diseases produce similar symptoms, so the diagnosis is usually based on the patient's history, physical, and EBV antibody tests (for example, IgG, IgM, and VCA antibody tests, Monospot test, and others). Interpretation of these tests is not always definitive.

How do you get mono?

• Mono (mononucleosis) is spread from person to person.
• It is usually not spread by airborne droplets (it can be in some instances when saliva is sprayed and then inhaled) but by direct contact with an infected person's saliva.
• Because of the predominant way mono is spread (saliva), it has been termed the "kissing disease."
• The incubation period (from time of exposure to EBV to symptom development) is about four to seven weeks, and some people can spread the disease during the incubation period and up to 18 months later.
• Mono can be spread by blood, semen, and organ transplants.
• Saliva-contaminated toothbrushes, utensils, and contact with other EBV-contaminated objects may also spread the disease.

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How long does mono last?

• Unfortunately, the term "cured" doesn't relate well to mono (mononucleosis) because, once infected, a person seems to be infected with EBV for life as occasional "reactivation" of the virus does occur even in healthy people who show no symptoms.
• Most people will never notice the reactivation of EBV, but according to researchers, these reactivated viruses are probably responsible for the occasional outbreaks in individuals who have not been infected with EBV.
• It's estimated that about 20%-80% of people infected with mononucleosis shed EBV occasionally for many years.

When should I see a doctor for mono treatment?

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• The majority of individuals who get mono do not require treatment by a physician. However, if you have been diagnosed with mono and had treatment at home for seven to 10 days and you still have problems with poor energy levels, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes, you should contact a physician.
• If you have a severe sore throat that lasts longer than two to three days, you should also contact a physician.
• You should go to an emergency department if your tonsils become swollen and they interfere with swallowing and/or breathing, or if you have severe pain in the upper abdomen in the left side (possible spleen rupture).