Mono can cause painful symptoms, but they will typically go away on their own without medical intervention. It’s caused by a virus, so there isn’t a medical treatment that will make the disease go away. Patients can only maintain their symptoms. Symptoms are similar to that of the flu, so it can be easy to confuse the two conditions.
AFC Urgent Care Bedford provides testing and treatment for mono. Don’t let yourself wonder what your symptoms may be. Visit our urgent care center for same-day mono testing, thanks to our on-site lab. You never need an appointment for urgent care services.
Symptoms of Mono
Not all patients are going to experience symptoms of mono in the same way. There are a few initial symptoms you may have, and more can develop later on in the virus. The initial symptoms are similar to the flu and may include:
- Headache
- Severe fatigue
- Severe sore throat
- Muscle aches and chills
After a few days, you may then develop tiny red spots on the roof of your mouth, a rash, swollen lymph nodes, and soreness in your stomach due to an enlarged spleen.
Your initial symptoms may show up anywhere from four to six weeks after coming in contact with the virus. These symptoms can last an additional two to four weeks, but the fatigue may last even longer.
When to See a Doctor
If you lose consciousness at any point throughout your illness, have severe stomach pain, blurry vision, or are feeling confused, seek emergency medical attention immediately. These are symptoms of a ruptured spleen, which can occur since it becomes enlarged.
You may also want to see urgent medical care if:
- Your symptoms last longer than ten days, or if your severe sore throat lasts more than two
- You have a headache and/or a stiff neck
- You have a rash of clusters of tiny red spots
- You have yellow skin or eyes
- You show symptoms of other conditions, such as a fever over 101.5 for multiple days, trouble breathing, or weakness in your arms or legs
How to Treat Mono
As mentioned above, there isn’t a prescription your doctor can write that can cure mono. You need to get a diagnosis, however, in order to rule out conditions like the flu or strep throat. It normally takes two weeks for mono symptoms to begin to go away.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken for the pain, but check with your doctor as the mono may impact your liver. Your doctor may also prescribe prednisone for your sore throat.
Be sure to avoid any contact sports for three to four weeks after your symptoms subside. This can cause your spleen or liver to rupture if they become enlarged while you have mono.
