What is mononucleosis?

Mononucleosis is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).  EBV lives in saliva. As a result, your child can get EBV by sharing a  drink or food with a person who carries the virus or by inhaling mucus  or saliva drops. The person who carries the virus does not have to be  ill to pass the virus to other people, since the virus does not always  cause symptoms and can be present many weeks prior to causing disease.

Mononucleosis occurs most commonly in children and young adults. Mononucleosis can last 1 to 4 weeks.

What are the symptoms of mononucleosis?

• Fever

• Headache

• Swollen glands in his neck, armpits, or groin

• Sore throat

• Low energy

• Muscle aches

• Puffy eyelids

• Lacy skin rash

• Enlarged liver and spleen

Home care

Your child should be evaluated in our office. Please call our office today for an appointment.

Let your child rest frequently according to how he feels.

Sore throat:

• Try a salt water gargle for the sore throat.

• If your child is older than four, try giving him throat lozenges or hard candy.

If your child seems to have a mild illness and is not taking in as  much by mouth, try increasing fluid intake by offering small amounts  more often.

Older children who are more severely dehydrated (see warning signs) should be given only rehydration therapy (e.g. Pedialyte®, Rehydrate®, Infalyte®).

Use acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®, or Panadol®) or ibuprofen  (Advil®, Motrin®) for pain and discomfort. Avoid ibuprofen if your child  is dehydrated or unable to take anything by mouth.

Follow the package instructions to determine the appropriate dose by your child’s WEIGHT or age for acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Do not use aspirin because of the increased risk of Reye’s Syndrome with certain infections.

Your child MUST AVOID strenuous exercise and contact  sports while he has mono because his spleen may be enlarged and could  rupture if he is hit on the left side. Please be careful until we can  evaluate your child and determine whether his spleen has returned to  normal and whether it is safe for him to go back to his normal  activities.

Your child CANNOT DRINK ALCOHOL. His liver will be  swollen and will not be able to digest the alcohol. Drinking alcohol  during a bout of mononucleosis can cause poisoning.

Do not share your child’s food or drink with others, and avoid mouth  to mouth close contact. This will protect other people, and it will  protect your child from getting other infections.

Wash all of your child’s eating utensils with hot water.

Warning signs – Call our office for advice if:

Your child has trouble swallowing, Call Our Office Now.

Your child refuses to drink, Call Our Office Now.

Your child has any signs of dehydration such as no tears while crying, dry lips and mouth, fewer wet diapers (around 6 per day is normal), or sunken eyes, Call Our Office Now.

Your child has any abdominal pain, especially on the left side, Call Our Office Now.

Your child develops any unexplained left shoulder pain, Call Our Office Now.

You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child’s symptoms, Call Our Office Now.