What are the mono symptoms? The classic mono symptoms are extreme fatigue, fever, a sore throat, headaches and body aches, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, a swollen liver or spleen, and a rash. The CDC’s About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) page says symptoms usually appear 4 to 6 weeks after you get infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks.
Mono testing is on the urgent care services list at our clinic in Covington, LA. It’s an on-site rapid finger stick, along with education and counseling on the virus and daily activities, and prescribed medication if needed. We open at 7 AM and lock up at 7 PM on all seven days, Saturdays and Sundays too, and there’s no need to book ahead. If someone has sharp, sudden, severe abdominal pain, a stiff neck or severe weakness, or trouble swallowing or breathing, call 911 or head straight to an emergency room, which is what MedlinePlus advises for those symptoms.
Four quick facts from that same CDC About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) page:
- At least 1 out of 4 teenagers and young adults who get infected with EBV will develop mono, and it’s especially common among college students.
- Symptoms may develop slowly and may not all occur at the same time.
- If you have mono, you shouldn’t take penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin or amoxicillin.
- Your spleen may become enlarged, so the CDC says to avoid contact sports until you fully recover.
What are the signs and symptoms of mono?
The signs and symptoms of mono include extreme fatigue, fever, a sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, and they tend to creep in slowly rather than arriving as a set. Here’s the full list from the CDC’s About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) page:
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headaches and body aches
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
- Swollen liver or spleen or both
- Rash
The same CDC page notes that an enlarged spleen and a swollen liver are less common symptoms. The sore throat can build over time, too. The MedlinePlus Mononucleosis encyclopedia page describes it this way: “The sore throat slowly gets worse. Your tonsils become swollen and develop a whitish-yellow covering. Often, the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen and painful.”
Why the old nickname? MedlinePlus explains that mono is often spread by saliva and close contact, and that it’s known as the kissing disease. MedlinePlus also notes that mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and, rarely, by other viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV). Kissing isn’t the only route, though, which we’ll get to below.
What are the early symptoms of mono?
The early symptoms of mono are easy to shrug off as just another bug, because they look like so many other viruses. On its Mononucleosis page, MedlinePlus says, “The early symptoms of mono feel very much like any other illness caused by a virus.” The same page says, “Mono may begin slowly with fatigue, a general ill feeling, headache, and sore throat.” The American Academy of Family Physicians’ patient site has a Mononucleosis article on familydoctor.org that adds, “Some of the symptoms of mono are similar to those of a cold or flu.”
It can look like strep, too. The Mononucleosis (Mono) page on KidsHealth says, “Mono’s most common symptoms are sometimes mistaken for strep throat or the flu.” That’s a big reason a test helps when a sore throat and exhaustion just won’t quit.
How long does it take for mono symptoms to show?
Mono symptoms usually take about a month or more to show up. The CDC’s About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) page says typical symptoms appear 4 to 6 weeks after you get infected with EBV. A 2023 review in American Family Physician, the AAFP’s journal, titled Infectious Mononucleosis: Rapid Evidence Review, is more specific: “The incubation period for EBV infection is 32 to 49 days, during which the patient is contagious.” The same review lists sharing eating utensils or water bottles, kissing, and sexual intercourse among the ways it passes between people.
So if a teammate or roommate just got diagnosed, you might not know for weeks whether you caught it. With an incubation period that long, feeling fine today doesn’t rule it out.
What are the symptoms of mono in teens?
The symptoms of mono in teens tend to be rougher than in young children. The familydoctor.org Mononucleosis article says, “Symptoms in young children are generally mild. In adolescents and young adults, symptoms tend to be more severe.” According to the AFP Rapid Evidence Review, mono “most often affects adolescents and young adults 15 to 24 years of age.” That review says that in wealthier nations the rate is 6 to 8 cases per 1,000 person-years in that age group, rising to 11 to 48 cases per 1,000 person-years for people living in communal environments, such as dormitories or military barracks.
Mono can cost a student real class time, too. The KidsHealth Mononucleosis Factsheet (for Schools) says students with mono might need to miss school for several weeks, do homework and assignments at home, and avoid gym class and sports until they get cleared by a doctor. For high school families in Covington, Mandeville, and Madisonville, that’s worth knowing early in the fall.
Adults get it too. Cleveland Clinic’s Mononucleosis (Mono or the Kissing Disease) page says the virus behind mono is extremely common: “About 95% of Americans get this infection by age 35.” MedlinePlus lists hepatitis with jaundice as a possible complication and notes it’s more common in people older than 35. Cleveland Clinic’s page also notes that some people miss some school or work as they recover.
How long does mono last?
Most people feel better in 2 to 4 weeks, but the tiredness can hang around a lot longer. The CDC’s About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) page puts it plainly: “While most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks, some may feel fatigued for several more weeks. Occasionally, the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis can last for 6 months or longer.”
Here’s a typical timeline, pulled from that CDC page, the MedlinePlus Mononucleosis page, and the familydoctor.org Mononucleosis article:
MedlinePlus also says, “Nearly everyone recovers completely.” That’s welcome news if you’re three weeks in and still napping every afternoon.
How long is mono contagious?
Mono can stay contagious for months, and there isn’t a clean end date. The MedlinePlus Mononucleosis page says, “People with mono may be contagious while they have symptoms and for up to a few months afterwards. How long someone with the disease is contagious varies.” The KidsHealth teen article How Long Is Mono Contagious? adds that health experts aren’t sure how long people with mono stay contagious after symptoms are gone.
You can also pass it on before any symptoms show up. According to the CDC’s About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) page, “When you first get EBV, you can spread it for weeks and even before you have symptoms.” After that, the virus goes inactive in your body. The CDC says it can reactivate, which doesn’t always cause symptoms, though people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop symptoms if it does.
That same CDC page lists the most common ways EBV spreads through saliva:
- Kissing
- Sharing drinks and food
- Sharing drinking cups, eating utensils, or toothbrushes
- Having contact with toys that children have drooled on
The same CDC page adds that EBV can also spread through blood and semen during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantations.
There’s no vaccine for EBV, so the CDC’s advice comes down to avoiding kissing, sharing drinks and food, and using the same personal items that an infected person recently used. As for catching it a second time, Cleveland Clinic’s mono page says, “But most people develop mono only once.” It adds that people with weakened immune systems may develop mono symptoms more than once.
Is it mono or strep throat?
Both can bring a sore throat and fever, but strep is a bacterial infection that’s treated with antibiotics, and mono is caused by a virus. As the familydoctor.org Mononucleosis article puts it, “Antibiotics don’t work against viruses.” Here’s a stat worth knowing. The CDC’s About Strep Throat page says, “Viruses cause most sore throats. Only around 1 in 10 adults and 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat.”
Table sources: the CDC pages About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono), About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), About Strep Throat, and Testing for Strep Throat or Scarlet Fever, plus the MedlinePlus Mononucleosis page for the Monospot test.
You can have both at once. The familydoctor.org Mononucleosis article says, “If you have a bacterial infection (such as strep throat) in addition to mono, your doctor may give you an antibiotic to treat that infection.” Our clinic’s services list includes an on-site rapid throat swab for strep and an on-site rapid finger stick for mono.
Can urgent care test for mono?
Yes, it can. Total Health Urgent Care checks for mono right in our Covington office using an on-site rapid finger stick, and mono is one of the many CLIA waived on site tests we run, along with flu, strep, and RSV. Searching urgent care near me from Mandeville, Madisonville, or Abita Springs because your throat feels like sandpaper? Come straight in on whatever day suits you.
A few things to know about mono testing in general. The CDC’s About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) page says healthcare providers typically diagnose mono based on symptoms. MedlinePlus explains on its Mononucleosis (Mono) Tests page that a provider may use a monospot to get fast results, then cautions, “Results are usually ready within an hour. But this test has a high rate of false negatives.” The AFP Rapid Evidence Review says heterophile antibody testing can produce false-negative results in up to 25% of adults in the first week of symptoms, with high false-negative rates in children younger than five years. MedlinePlus notes your provider may also order an EBV antibody test and other tests that look for infections. Those numbers describe the monospot test in general, not any one clinic’s test, so ask your provider what your result means.
No insurance? Our office visit runs $130 self-pay, which covers exams and referrals plus any medication prescribing. Since so many services are offered here, our pricing and insurance page suggests a quick call beforehand, (985) 400-5370, for an accurate estimate of your visit. Have insurance? Most major health plans work here, and our staff can bill your insurer directly.
What should a walk-in clinic offer for a stubborn sore throat?
Honestly, we think the best urgent care near Covington for a sore throat that won’t let up is one that can test for strep and mono right there in the building, keeps the same hours on Saturday and Sunday, and lists a self-pay price online. That’s the standard we hold our Covington walk-in clinic to.
How do you treat mono at home?
There’s no cure, so home care is about comfort while your body clears it. The familydoctor.org article says, “There isn’t a cure for mono. The virus will go away on its own.” The CDC’s About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) page suggests these steps to help relieve symptoms:
- Drinking fluids to stay hydrated
- Getting plenty of rest
- Taking over-the-counter medications for pain and fever
For the throat, familydoctor.org suggests gargling with saltwater or sucking on throat lozenges, hard candy, or flavored frozen desserts (such as Popsicles). It also warns, “Do not give aspirin to children. Aspirin has been associated with a rare disease in children called Reye’s syndrome.” The same article adds, “Reye’s syndrome is a serious illness that can lead to death.”
Skip the leftover amoxicillin in the medicine cabinet. The CDC’s About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) page says, “If you have infectious mononucleosis, you should not take penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin or amoxicillin.” The MedlinePlus Mononucleosis page describes what can happen: “A pink, measles-like rash can occur, and is more likely if you take the medicine ampicillin or amoxicillin for a throat infection.”
Fluids matter more than you’d think. The familydoctor.org mono article says to drink plenty of fluids because they help prevent dehydration. If a raw throat has made drinking tough for days, our services list covers checking for dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance and giving IV fluids when they’re needed.
When can you play sports after mono?
Not for at least three weeks after symptoms start, and only once a doctor says it’s safe. The reason is the spleen. The AFP Rapid Evidence Review says, “Individuals with infectious mononucleosis should not participate in athletic activity for three weeks following symptom onset to reduce the risk of splenic rupture, beginning with light, noncontact exercise.” It also says athletes should return only when they feel clinically well and are afebrile, meaning fever-free, and that “Shared decision-making is crucial in determining the timing of return to activity, particularly contact sports.”
Other trusted sources give longer windows, and they don’t all start the clock at the same point. The familydoctor.org Mononucleosis article says to avoid physical activities and contact sports for about 3 to 4 weeks after you’ve had mono, or until your doctor tells you it’s safe. The KidsHealth Mononucleosis (Mono) page says doctors recommend that kids who have mono “avoid contact sports for at least a month after symptoms are gone.” Since KidsHealth counts from when symptoms are gone, that can add up to well past three weeks.
The spleen sits in the upper part of your abdomen on the left side, according to the familydoctor.org Mononucleosis article. A ruptured spleen is rare, but timing matters. The AFP review says, “Splenic injury occurs in 0.1% to 0.2% of people with infectious mononucleosis.” It reports that most splenic ruptures happen within 21 days of symptom onset (73.8%), with 90% by day 31, and that ruptures have been diagnosed up to eight weeks after onset of illness. Our advice for any player itching to suit back up this football season: wait for a clinician’s all-clear.
When should someone with mono see a doctor?
See a provider if mono symptoms drag past 10 days or any warning sign shows up. The MedlinePlus Mononucleosis page says you don’t need to contact a provider unless your symptoms last longer than 10 days or you develop:
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing difficulty
- Persistent high fevers (more than 101.5°F or 38.6°C)
- Severe headache
- Severe sore throat or swollen tonsils
- Weakness in your arms or legs
- Yellow color in your eyes or skin
Some symptoms can’t wait. MedlinePlus says to call 911 or the local emergency number or go to an emergency room if you develop:
- Sharp, sudden, severe abdominal pain
- Stiff neck or severe weakness
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
The AFP Rapid Evidence Review also lists upper airway obstruction among the acute complications of mono and notes it’s more common in young children.
The familydoctor.org Mononucleosis article lists the signs of a ruptured spleen: sharp pain in the left upper part of your abdomen (under the left chest), feeling lightheaded, feeling confused, blurred vision, and fainting. For a medical emergency, call 911. Don’t wait to see if it passes.
Frequently asked questions
You can, but it’s uncommon. Cleveland Clinic says most people develop mono only once, even though the Epstein-Barr virus stays in the body in an inactive form. People with weakened immune systems may develop mono symptoms more than once.
After mono, EBV stays inactive in the body and can reactivate. The CDC’s About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) page says reactivation doesn’t always cause symptoms, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop symptoms when it happens. If symptoms return, check in with a provider.
Not always right away. KidsHealth says students with mono might need to miss school for several weeks and should avoid gym class and sports until a doctor clears them. Cleveland Clinic notes that some people miss some school or work as they recover.
Not in the usual sense. The CDC says mono spreads most commonly through saliva, and MedlinePlus says it’s known as the kissing disease. The CDC also notes the viruses that cause it can also spread through blood and semen during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantations.
MedlinePlus describes a pink, measles-like rash. It’s more likely if you take ampicillin or amoxicillin for a throat infection. If a rash shows up, let your provider know.
No separate price for mono testing is posted online. Self-pay office visits cost $130, covering the exam, referrals, and any medicine that gets prescribed. Ring (985) 400-5370 ahead of time for an accurate estimate.
Yes! There’s no appointment needed. We see walk-ins at Total Health Urgent Care from 7 AM until 7 PM daily, and calling first with questions is fine too.
Worn out, sore-throated, and wondering if it’s mono? You’ll find our door in Suite A, 73015 Hwy 25, Covington, LA 70435. That’s north of downtown Covington by the spot where highways 190 and 25 intersect, with Folsom and Franklinton close by. Across St. Tammany Parish, we also see patients from Abita Springs, Madisonville, Mandeville, and St. Benedict. Stop by, or phone us at (985) 400-5370. Rest up, sip plenty of fluids, and let someone else carry the laundry basket for a while!
This mono guide was written for Northshore families by the folks at Total Health Urgent Care, a Covington walk-in practice. Jennifer Duncan, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, our founder, opened it. Use it to understand mono, not to diagnose yourself, and for any emergency, call 911.