Signs of mono

The three distinctive signs of mono are sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes, particularly neck nodes. Fatigue is a universal complaint. Lab tests establish the diagnosis with certainty. The person's white blood cell count is high and composed mostly of lymphocytes.

Signs of mononucleosis usually begin about 4 to 7 weeks after you were exposed to the virus.

Pictures Signs of mono

Signs of mono in children

Young children often get no symptoms.   

School-age children can get a mild brief illness with sore throat and swollen lymph glands, with or without fever.  It is generally not distinguished from a common cold.  

Signs of mono in adults

Only 35% to 50% of adolescents and young adults get symptoms.   

• Symptoms are:  fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph glands.   
• Symptoms can be pronounced and long-lasting (1-2 months) compared to symptoms in children   
• Physical examination can reveal a swollen spleen or liver in some adolescents and adults.  
• Patients with Mononucleosis who take Amoxicillin can develop a rash.   
• In the USA, 95% of adults have already had Mononucleosis by age 40.  

Early signs of mono

Early signs of mono include loss of appetite, headaches, swollen glands in the neck, fever, skin rash and sore throat. Even swallowing drops of water may be painful, or people may drool unconsciously because they can't swallow their saliva. About one in 10 develops yellowed skin, or jaundice.

Other signs of mono

Other signs of mono are swollen glands, a sore throat, and a low-grade fever that comes and goes.

Sport Risk

It is very important that those with a mono infection do not return to sports until they are well. The swollen spleen is at risk to rupture with mono. This risk is highest in the first three weeks of infection. This means no sports for three weeks. 

The absence from sports can be longer if the individual has not recovered from mono. This means all symptoms and signs of mono are gone. Medical clearance by your physician is highly recommended before you return to sports. A period of conditioning is wise before you actually go back to your sport 100 per cent.

The sore throat, fever, and fatigue (feeling tired all the time) that Man experienced are some of the early warning signs of mono. After a few days, the following symptoms may appear:

• upset stomach
• red rash all over the body
• loss of appetite
• swollen and tender lymph nodes in the armpits and neck. The lymph nodes are tissues in your body that produce 
• infection-fighting white blood cells.

In very rare cases, people with mono may also develop:

• trouble breathing
• rapid heart beat
• jaundice (DAWN-dis), a condition that can lead to a yellow discoloration of the skin.