Mononucleosis, or mono, does go away. The symptoms usually subside in 2–4 weeks, but sometimes the tiredness lingers for several more weeks. Occasionally, the symptoms may last 6 months or more.
However, the virus that typically causes mono, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), does not go away. After mono symptoms get better, the virus
Typically, people get mono only once. When EBV does reactivate, this
Keep reading to learn when mono goes away, whether there is a cure, and the potential long-term effects.
Most people feel better from mono in
No, there is no cure for mono.
Mono treatment aims to relieve symptoms. This could involve:
- getting lots of rest
- drinking fluids to stay hydrated
- taking over-the-counter medications for fever and pain
Typically, a person gets mono only once, but some people may get it twice.
EBV is the
A
A person could also get mono again due to contracting a different virus. Other viruses that can cause mono
- adenoviruses, a group of viruses that cause colds and flu
- rubella, the virus that causes German measles
- cytomegalovirus, a
common virus that usually does not cause symptoms unless someone has weakened immunity - toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause infection
- hepatitis A, a virus that causes liver infection
- HIV
Mononucleosis is a disease that does not usually last longer than
Sometimes, EBV can have long-term effects. These include:
- Chronic EBV: An older
2015 review states EBV can cause long-term infections in some people. This can lead to chronic symptoms resembling mono, such as lymph node swelling, fever, and an enlarged spleen. - Lymphoma: EBV can sometimes lead to lymphoma, which is a type of cancer. There is a particularly strong link between EBV and Burkitt’s lymphoma, and to a lesser extent, Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The correlation varies significantly depending on location, being stronger in areas where malaria is common.
- Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH): HLH is a rare, multi-system inflammatory disease that usually affects children. It occurs when the immune system becomes too activated, resulting in organ failure.
It is worth noting that around
The symptoms of mono usually manifest
- sore throat
- extreme tiredness
- headaches
- body aches
- fever
- rash
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpit
- less commonly, a swollen spleen or liver
Doctors
Below are answers to commonly asked questions about mono.
How do you get mono?
The
Is mono an STI?
In some cases, mono is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), since EBV can be present in semen. However, because the
When does mono stop being contagious?
Transmission is generally contagious for about
Mono usually goes away in
The virus that usually causes mono, EBV, does not go away. It stays in the body in an inactive form after the symptoms pass, and remains there throughout life.
Medications cannot cure mono, so treatment usually involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter products to manage pain and fever.