No, they don’t. While it’s true that infectious mononucleosis, or “mono” for short, most often affects people of this age group, it can affect anyone at any age.

Our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter team provides other helpful information on this common viral infection below, so keep reading!

What Exactly Is Mono?

Mono refers to a group of symptoms that is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It’s often referred to as the “kissing disease” because it is usually transferred through saliva, although it can be transmitted in different ways, such as through sexual contact, blood transfusions and organ transplantations.

Mono isn’t a life-threatening infection for most people, and it usually goes away on its own. We’ve listed its most common symptoms below.

Common Mono Symptoms

• Extreme fatigue
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Head and body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• Swollen liver or spleen or both
• Rash

Is Mono a Serious Illness?

No, it’s not classified as one. Like we said earlier, mono will usually go away on its own, and symptoms typically last between two and four weeks.

In some cases, though, symptoms can last for longer. And just like with many other viruses, certain symptoms can worsen and cause more serious complications, although the likelihood of this happening is rare. If you or a loved one experiences the symptoms that we’ve listed below, seek medical care quickly.

When to Seek Medical Care

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Dizziness or fainting
• Extreme muscle weakness in arms or legs
• Intense body aches
• High fever that won’t go away
• Severe headaches
• Sharp pain in the upper left abdomen

Are you feeling less than your best? If so, our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter team is here to provide the non-emergency medical care you need seven days a week! You don’t need an appointment, so don’t hesitate to stop by today.