Fatigue is probably the most well-known symptom of mono. "It feels like your body is moving in slow motion," says Shanna Levine, M.D., an internist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
If you come into contact with the virus that causes mono, the CDC says it can take four to six weeks after you've been infected for symptoms to appear—and they may not arrive all at once. Many people start to feel better two to four weeks after that, but fatigue can persist for many weeks or even months.
How long does the exhaustion from mono recovery last? When it comes to exhaustion from mono, there's some variability. Doctors say exhaustion can typically last for a month or two, but it's possible for someone to only feel fatigued for a week or feel run down for as long as six months or longer.
The first symptoms usually include fatigue, fever, headache, and muscle aches. Many people have extreme fatigue and sleep 12 to 16 hours a day before they have any other symptoms. After just a few days of fever and aches, the throat becomes sore and the lymph nodes (glands) in the neck get bigger.
In many mono patients, the spleen—a large blood-filtering gland located in the upper-left part of your abdomen—becomes enlarged. Participating in contact sports or simply moving around too much can put you at risk for a ruptured spleen, a rare but possible complication of mono.
You may experience lingering fatigue for several months. You'll need to protect your health by getting enough rest and fluids during this time. You should also avoid strenuous activities to prevent a ruptured spleen.
There's no specific therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mainly involves taking care of yourself, such as getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids.
Engaging in intense physical activity during the duration of mono can be dangerous to your health and potentially prolong your recovery. It's crucial to prioritize rest and recovery during the acute phase of mono.
Mononucleosis often inflames the liver and alcohol can make this inflammation worse. Mono patients should not use alcohol while they are ill or until a provider tells them it is safe.
Mono may begin slowly with fatigue, a general ill feeling, headache, and sore throat. The sore throat slowly gets worse. Your tonsils become swollen and develop a whitish-yellow covering. Often, the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen and painful.
Eat SOFT FOODS like bananas, applesauce, potatoes, oatmeal, or noodles. If you develop a RASH, it usually goes away in a few days. If you have concerns, contact Norton Medical Center at 508-286-5400. Most people with mono get better with rest and possibly medication to treat infection.
Splenic rupture is a potentially life-threatening complication of infectious mononucleosis, so extreme exercise and alcohol consumption should be avoided for a month after this infection.
Mono patients must increase their fluids, even 2 to 3 times above normal, in the early stages of the illness to help their body fight the virus. Avoid contact sports and vigorous exercise: The spleen, which is a large organ in the left upper abdomen that filters and stores blood, often enlarges in mono.
How long do athletes with mononucleosis have to rest?
Fortunately, splenic rupture is rare, occurring in <0.5% of those with IM, but its consequences can be severe. Most recommendations support that the athlete with IM should rest for 3 weeks and then begin resumption of light activity.
Furthermore, several natural products and dietary bioactive compounds, such as curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, moronic acid, and andrographolide, have shown antiviral activity against EBV.
Some people may have symptoms for only two to six weeks. Others may have lingering effects—especially fatigue—until the virus that causes the illness becomes inactive, which can take months.
If fatigue persists beyond six months, your healthcare provider may start to consider a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, as EBV is theorized to be a possible cause of this disease. 4 Though the relationship isn't fully understood, it may represent long-standing impacts of the initial infection.
While stimulants, like caffeine, might seem like a good idea when you're tired, it's best to let yourself rest. Avoid anything that will interfere with you getting quality sleep, which your immune system needs to stay strong.
Athletes should be removed from play when the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed. They should avoid penicillin antibiotics, aspirin due to risk of thrombocytopenia and acetaminophen and alcohol due to risk of hepatotoxicity.
When to return to school or work. People can return to school, college, or work once they are feeling better, and their doctor approves. Some people may still feel tired for several weeks or months after other symptoms go away, which may affect their work. Mono can cause an enlarged spleen.
Pushing it can lead to prolonged symptoms, and in severe cases, splenic rupture. Trying to train only increases the time it will take your body to fully recover. It is a definite change in lifestyle to not run everyday, but since you have to, you may as well embrace it.
As a precaution, you should avoid sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, food, and kissing until your sore throat and other symptoms have disappeared for several (4-6) weeks. Be sure to cover coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands thoroughly and often.