What is mono and what are the mono symptoms in adults? Well, Mononucleosis is an infectious disease most likely caused by the herpes virus known as the Epstein-Barr virus. However, there are other types of viruses that may cause the infectious disease. Symptoms of mono in adults are generally more severe than in younger people, and sometimes a surprising diagnosis because it is often thought of as the “kissing disease.” When in reality the signs of mononucleosis may appear after contact with an infected person who sneezes, coughs or from sharing food and silverware with a sick person. The infection is spread through saliva and mucus of the infected person, even when not asymptomatic.
It is believed that about 80-90 percent of people have experienced mono symptoms by the age of 40, so for the small percentage of those who contract the illness later in life, the mono symptoms in adults can be severe and physically draining. Some natural methods of warding off viruses, such as mono, include eating balanced diets, drinking plenty of water to flush the system and taking a vitamin supplement. Keeping the immune system in working order is the best way to avoid the severe symptoms of mono and as well as other illnesses.
Signs of mononucleosis include fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the underarm, groin and neck areas. Mono symptoms in adults are more severe for several reasons. These reasons include that an older body is less able to fight off the infection effectively; older people have more responsibilities and less time to rest and take more time to recover after an illness. The mononucleosis symptoms may also include extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, skin rash, loss of appetite and headache. Sometimes adults also get a mono rash, which is a skin rash, but this is most common among younger people.
A doctor will determine if the symptoms of mono are from the mononucleosis virus or maybe another illness, such as strep throat, through blood testing. In adults, the symptoms for mono may last about four weeks. There is no cure for mono, but the doctor can offer advice to treat mono symptoms in adults. The most common advice is rest and plenty of fluids. The symptoms of mononucleosis can be debilitating, so adults need to keep this in mind and remember to slow down and rest so they can get back on their feet as soon as possible.
One of the most serious mono symptoms in adults involves the spleen. The spleen may swell up to twice its normal size and this occurs in about 50 percent of infected people. To keep the spleen from rupturing, doctors recommend no heavy lifting or contact sports for at least a month for those with sings of mononucleosis. If your symptoms of mono are severe, it could mean bed rest and limited activity for up to two months. The lethargy can last after other symptoms of mononucleosis have dissipated. Contact a doctor immediately if you are unable to drink fluids or have weakness in the limbs or any of these other symptoms.
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I always considered mono to be more of a disease that kids get. I also never realized that mono could really have such an effect on the spleen. I thought there was no way I could have mono but the more I read the more it seems like that’s what it could be.
Like Beatrice, I associated mono with kids until I read this. I’m also surprised to read that 80 to 90 percent of people experience symptoms by age 40. This is all good to know – adults need to be aware that they are susceptible.
I knew mono did occur in adults but I had no idea that it could end up being so severe or cause spleen damage. I wonder if you’re immune if you’ve already had it.
We can prevent this disease by having always washing hands before eating and to avoid contact with people who have colds. I also didn’t know that most of us have experienced this without knowing it.
Ugh, when I read about the spleen swelling up I got a sick feeling in my stomach! I don’t even know what the spleen does, but I don’t want it swelling!
I’m another one who always associated Mono with children. I guess I always just assumed that adults wouldn’t get Mono for some reason. Boy, was I wrong. I’m going to have to be a lot more cautious from now on. I had always been pretty nonchalant about Mono before.
It’s always good to be aware of the symptoms in yourself or others. When we are younger our parents tend to watch out for signs of sickness. As adults it can be easy to dismiss fatigue because we are always so busy.
I heard this virus can be more serious in adults than children.
Many illnesses can, I know chicken pox is a much more serious illness in adults than it is in children.
Glandular fever is nasty, apparently your male parts swell up like tennis balls.
My glands were swelling up for about a week straight and I was thinking that maybe I had mono. I have had a somewhat constant fever and sore throat. I didn’t even know that I should be worried about getting mono at this point in my life! I always thought it was one of those things that kids get.
I am lucky that I haven’t encountered anyone who has mono, but I’ve heard a lot about it from friends and acquaintances. I’ve never associated sore throat or fever with mono, but now, I know better.
Sore throat and fatigue are the only symptoms I knew about before here. I can’t believe the spleen, as well as the liver, can be affected too!
Wow, the fact that it can have a worse affect on adults then most kids is interesting. I thought adults would have less severe symptoms considering we are older and have stronger immune systems.
Wow, reading this made me glad I had Mono when I was young. It sounds like getting it as an adult is even worse! Also, it’s not such a big deal for a child to take time off school for an illness but it’s a lot more difficult for an adult to take sick leave.
I used to have swollen glands all the time when I was a child and teen. I never had mono, though. I’ve had it once since becoming an adult, but never learned about the potential damage to the spleen. I’ll know now to make sure to get a doctor to check me out.
I had no idea that the spleen could actually explode because a person had a severe case of mono. My daughter had mono last summer and luckily we got her to a doctor early but she still completely lost her vitality during the summer months. It was frightening to watch a lively 14 year old teen become a little old lady. She is much better now and is back participating in sports.
I wasn’t aware of the possibility of damage to the spleen either. I wonder if having mono as a kid could leave the spleen weakened at all? Wouldn’t that weaken the immune system in general?
I never knew that adults could get mono either. I have only heard of it in school aged kids. I always thought that they just shared germs (drinking out of each others glasses, kissing, etc.) I thought I had it once as a teen, I was whipped! I could not stay awake, had no energy. It turned out to be something else. Wow, mono can harm the spleen – that is crazy dangerous.
I didn’t realize that symptoms are often more severe in adults than in kids. I know there are other diseases that are like that such as chicken pox which can really make an adult sick. I tend to think of this as a high school disease because I’ve honestly never known an adult to catch it.
A lot of diseases can be more severe in adults than in children.
If mono is such a disease which can possibly play serious havoc with one’s health, I wonder why the information about it isn’t as widespread as the other medical conditions. Or am I the only one who lacks about mono?
Is there a vaccine for this? Reading the article made me want to shield myself and my family from this contagious disease! I didn’t know that Mono could pose a serious threat, especially to adults who cannot easily ward off diseases like the younger people. I guess right now, keeping a clean environment (and yourself!) is the best alternative to fight this virus from spreading.
One of our family members lives in another state. She developed mono and we found out later that we had almost lost her because of it. She had all sorts of complications and ended up in the hospital. I think her spleen came mighty close to rupturing. She’s still not totally out of the woods and has to be careful.
A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with mono. I’m 48 years old. This has been the worst illness ever. The amount of exhaustion I feel is indescribable. I also have pain all over my body, especially in my lower back area and sides of my abdomen. Ironically, a high school friend who lives in Las Vegas was also diagnosed with mono recently. Thank God I’ve had him to help me not feel so alone in this. No matter how much they say they understand, your family cannot truly comprehend the way you feel unless they’ve experienced it themselves!
So if around 90% of people have had Mono symptoms by adulthood does that mean they had it, or they didn’t? Is it like other diseases where some people get a bad dose and others get it once but their symptoms are so vague they didn’t realise?
An understanding, supportive and kind doctor can make a lot of difference in how you recover from Mono. This is especially true for adult sufferers who may feel pressured to recover faster than is possible.
I guess I never thought about this being a disease that affects adults as I’ve never known an adult to come down with mono. The only times I’ve seen outbreaks or warnings were when messages were sent home from the high school my daughter attended.