What Are The Stages Of Mono?

Reviewed By:

What Are The Stages Of Mono?

Mono or infectious mononucleosis has an incubation period of 4 to 6 weeks. Mono has three stages

Prodrome Stage. There are no much symptoms seen, if present just mild symptoms. This stage lasts for about 3 to 5 days. The symptoms seen during the prodrome stage are fatigue, malaise and mild headache. In this stage non-specific symptoms are present, it’s hard to arrive at a diagnosis accurately with symptoms as these symptoms are present in most of the viral infections.

Acute Stage. The next stage is called acute stage. There are more symptoms present at this stage, usually this stage lasts for about 2 to 6 weeks. Soon after the prodrome stage symptoms, fever occurs with a temperature of 39ºC and it might be present for the next 6 days. In severe cases temperature will be about 40ºC and it will last for about 2 weeks or longer. The individual may be very sick and the classic symptoms of mono which are pharyngitis (sore throat), moderate-to-high fever and generalized lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck, axilla, groin are seen in the individual. Other than that generalized malaise, weakness, muscle aches, and a rash also seen during this stage.

Convalescent Stage. This is the last stage of mono; it usually lasts for about 2-6 months. It’s actually like a recovery stage most of the acute symptoms such as fever, sore throat, lymphadenopathy are resolved but fatiguability, lack of energy can be present along with less physical strength. This fatiguability might resolve in few weeks or take months to resolve completely. That depends on the individual and its different in each individual.

The above-mentioned time frame is a general one and this can change from individual to individual and some of these stages can overlap as well.

There is no treatment for mono, its conservative management. During the acute and convalescent stages conservative treatment should be carried out. These treatment does not necessarily prevent complications but it can reduce the risk of getting complications to some extent. Since, it’s a viral infection it will go on with its natural infection course and the immune system will fight off to protect the body. It takes some time to do this and the conservative treatment helps the immune system to fights off the infection.

Treatment Of Mono

Have plenty of rest, especially within the first two weeks after initiation of mono have bed rest. Rest is needed during mono in order to prevent the occurrence of some complications.

Hydrate yourself. Drink more water and other fluids.

Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve muscle aches and fever. These drugs can be purchased over the counter without any prescription. Do not give aspirin to children less than 12 years because it can cause a serious adverse effect which is known as Reye syndrome.

Sore throat and throat pain are awful. To relieve the throat pain, you can have some throat lozenges. Warm salt water helps the sore throat. Get 8 ounces of warm water and dissolve one-half teaspoon of salt in it. Gargle your throat thoroughly with it. You can do this several times a day and it really helps the sore throat.

Avoid doing exercises, contact sports, weight lifting at least 4-6 weeks after being diagnosed with mono. The spleen is enlarged and swollen and is at an increased risk of getting ruptured when you have mono. So, doing the above-mentioned activities increase the risk more, therefore, avoid these activities.

Conclusion

Mono or infectious mononucleosis has an incubation period of 4 to 6 weeks. It has three stages. Prodrome stage, Acute stage, and Convalescent stage. Prodrome stage lasts for about 3 to 5 days. The symptoms seen during the prodrome stage are fatigue, malaise and mild headache. In this stage non-specific symptoms are present. Acute stage lasts for about 2 to 6 week, the individual may be very sick and the classic symptoms of mono which are pharyngitis, moderate-to-high fever and generalized lymphadenopathy in the neck, axilla, groin are seen. Convalescent lasts for about 2-6 months. Most of the acute symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy are resolved but fatiguability, lack of energy can be present along with less physical strength. This fatiguability might resolve in few weeks or take months to resolve completely.

Also Read: