Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOTC TherapiesPrescriptionsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Mononucleosis GuideWhat Is Mono (Mononucleosis)?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies
OTC Therapies
Prescriptions
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Mononucleosis Guide
Getting plenty of rest, drinking ample fluids, and takingover-the-counter (OTC) fever and pain relieverscan help you recover.Prescription medication usually isn’t needed, butcorticosteroidscan help reduce overly swollen tonsils in extreme cases.
This article covers home remedies, medications, and other strategies to help you manage your mono symptoms and recover as quickly as possible.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
The primary treatment for mono involves rest and home remedies to relieve symptoms. Give your immune system the boost it needs to fight mono with the following tactics.
Hydrate
Rest
Don’t underestimate the power of rest to help your immune system do its job. You’ll especially need to get lots of rest in the first week or two that you are sick.This doesn’t mean you have to stay in bed all the time, but you should greatly limit your activity.
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 gettingquality sleep, which your immune system needs to stay strong.Kids with mono should be encouraged to take a break from active play.
Control Your Fever
Lowering the temperature of your room, taking a lukewarm (not cold) bath, and putting a cold washcloth on your forehead can help keep your fever down.
If you cannot bring your fever down within ten days, you should seek medical attention to avoid dangerous complications.
Reduce Sore Throat and Tonsil Swelling
The sore throat that comes with mono can be quite severe.Mono can cause tonsils to swell so much that they almost touch each other. You might also notice that your tonsils have a whitish-yellow covering.A warm salt water gargle can help soothe your tonsils.
Soothe Body Aches
You can use ice packs or heating pads to relieve body aches, taking care to never apply ice directly to your skin. If your body aches (or any other symptoms) become intolerable, contact your healthcare provider.
Protect Your Spleen
It is important to avoid contact sports, heavy lifting, and strenuous activities when you have mono. The illness commonly causes an enlargedspleen, which canruptureupon even the mildest pressure or hit to the abdomen.
Spleen rupture as a complication of mono is rare and only occurs in less than 0.5% of cases.If it does happen, though, it is a medical emergency.
It is a good idea to avoid heavy chores around the house as well. Children should be discouraged from rough play or wrestling with siblings. Wait at least until all your mono symptoms have resolved, then return to your physical activities gradually.
Avoid Alcohol
Mono can also cause the liver to become inflamed—a temporary condition known asmono hepatitis.Take it easy on your liver and avoid drinking alcohol while you have mono symptoms or are recovering.
Many people recover from mono within two to four weeks. However, some people continue to feel fatigued for several weeks longer. In some cases, mono symptoms can last for six months or more.
Over-the-Counter Therapies
You can also findthroat lozenges and spraysto soothe a sore throat.
Check with your healthcare provider for advice on the appropriate pain and fever reducers, dosages, and timing for your age group or that of your child.
Adults may use aspirin, but it should not be given to anyone under the age of 19 due to the risk of a rare but life-threatening condition calledReye’s syndrome. The risk of developing Reye’s is higher when a child takes aspirin during or shortly after a viral illness, such as mono.
Aspirin belongs to a family of compounds calledsalicylates. While many salicylates share the same properties as aspirin, their effects on the body can vary. Taking too many salicylates at any age can lead to salicylate toxicity (overdose).
To avoid this medical emergency, check all OTC products you are using for aspirin and other salicylates, includingacetylsalicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, and salicylic acid.
People younger than 19 should avoid using oral or topical medications that contain these ingredients as long as they have mono symptoms. Adults ages 19 and up should avoid using more than one salicylate or aspirin-containing product at a time.
Keep in mind that OTC pain relief ointments that contain menthol, such asTiger Balmand Icy-Hot can contain salicylates as well. While topical salicylates have not been proven to be associated with Reye’s syndrome, some people choose to avoid them until age 19.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions about which medications you or your child should take when sick with mono.
Swollen tonsils andlymph nodesusually are not a big deal and go away on their own. However, if they become so swollen that they interfere with swallowing or breathing, you need treatment right away.
Sometimessteroid medicationsare used to shrink the tonsils if they have become too enlarged. Corticosteroids can also be used if there are complications, such as very lowplateletcount orhemolytic anemia, in which your body does not make enough red blood cells fast enough.
It is possible to have strep throat or a bacterial sinus infection at the same time that you havemono. If this happens, you may be prescribed anantibiotic.
You shouldn’t take penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin or amoxicillin when you have mono.For some people, this can cause a rash even though they’re not allergic to the drug. When a person has mono, their chances of developing this rash are higher.
There have been studies on using antiviral therapy for Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis, especially in patients who are at risk due to being immunocompromised. A review of this research found that any benefit was uncertain. The drugs used includedacyclovir,valomaciclovir, andvalacyclovir.
Mono can result in other complications that may require prescription medication, which will vary based on the course of the illness.
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Summary
Mono is a viral illness so it’s not treated with antibiotics. Ample rest and hydration are critical for your immune system to fight the infection.
Over-the-counter medications can help keep your fever down and relieve aches. Children under 19 years of age should avoid medications that contain aspirin. Due to the risk of rupturing your spleen while sick with mono, you should avoid physical activities until your symptoms have passed.
A Word From Verywell
A common myth about mono is that you can only get it once. That’s not exactly true. Once you become infected with Epstein-Barr virus, you will carry the virus for the rest of your life. The virus usually stays dormant and most people will never have mono symptoms again.
There is a chance, however, that EBV will reactivate and cause illness, mostly in people with weakened immune systems. If you have AIDS, autoimmune disease, cancer, or another condition that affects your autoimmune system, talk to your healthcare provider about how to reduce your risk.
Not usually. For most people, the most serious aspect of the illness is missed time from work, school, and social activities.One common side effect to be aware of is an enlargedspleen, which can be vulnerable toruptureduring vigorous activities or contact sports. Don’t engage in either until your healthcare provider says it’s OK.
Not usually. For most people, the most serious aspect of the illness is missed time from work, school, and social activities.
One common side effect to be aware of is an enlargedspleen, which can be vulnerable toruptureduring vigorous activities or contact sports. Don’t engage in either until your healthcare provider says it’s OK.
Experts aren’t totally sure. There’s no question you’re contagious while you have symptoms, which typically last for four weeks or more.However, after you recover, the Epstein-Barr virus that most often causes mono remains dormant (inactive) in your body permanently.That doesn’t mean you’re infectious for the rest of your life. There’s a small chance it could become active again and could be transmissible via saliva.
Experts aren’t totally sure. There’s no question you’re contagious while you have symptoms, which typically last for four weeks or more.
However, after you recover, the Epstein-Barr virus that most often causes mono remains dormant (inactive) in your body permanently.
That doesn’t mean you’re infectious for the rest of your life. There’s a small chance it could become active again and could be transmissible via saliva.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis (Mono).Kofteridis D, Valachis A.Mononucleosis and Epstein–Barr virus infection: treatment and medication.VAT. 2012 Feb;2012(4):23-28. doi:10.2147/vaat.s17837Harvard Health Publishing.How much water should you drink?Lennon P, Crotty M, Fenton JE.Infectious mononucleosis.BMJ. 2015 Apr;350(1):h1825. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1825Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.NIOSH training for nurses on shift work and long work hours.Harvard Health Publishing.Fever in adults: When to worry.Mount Sinai.Mononucleosis information.Lee S, Lin A, Baerg J, Wu E.Spontaneous splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis.J Pediatr Surg Case Rep. 2020 Dec;63(1):101680. doi:10.1016/j.epsc.2020.101680Becker JA, Smith JA.Return to play after infectious mononucleosis.Sports Health. 2014;6(3):232-8. doi:10.1177/1941738114521984Stanford Children’s Health.Reye syndrome in children.Delaney T, Helvey J, Shiffermiller J.A case of salicylate toxicity presenting with acute focal neurologic deficit in a 61-year old woman with a history of stroke.Am J Case Rep. 2020 Feb;21(1):1-5. doi:10.12659/AJCR.920016National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Reye’s syndrome.Magrum B, Pickworth K.Aspirin rechallenge in an adult patient previously diagnosed with Reye syndrome.Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2020 Jan;77(2):123-127. doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxz276Salama A.Treatment options for primary autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A short comprehensive review.Transfus Med Hemother. 2015 Sep;42(5):294-301. doi:10.1159/000438731Ónodi-Nagy K, Kinyó Á, Meszes A, Garaczi E, Kemény L, Bata-Csörgő Z.Amoxicillin rash in patients with infectious mononucleosis: evidence of true drug sensitization.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2015 Jan;11(1):1. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-11-1De Paor M, O’Brien K, Fahey T, Smith S.Antiviral agents for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever).Cochrane Rev. 2016 Dec;2016(12):1-38. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011487.pub2Kerr J.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors.J Clin Pathol. 2019 Jul;72(1):651-658.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis (Mono).Kofteridis D, Valachis A.Mononucleosis and Epstein–Barr virus infection: treatment and medication.VAT. 2012 Feb;2012(4):23-28. doi:10.2147/vaat.s17837Harvard Health Publishing.How much water should you drink?Lennon P, Crotty M, Fenton JE.Infectious mononucleosis.BMJ. 2015 Apr;350(1):h1825. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1825Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.NIOSH training for nurses on shift work and long work hours.Harvard Health Publishing.Fever in adults: When to worry.Mount Sinai.Mononucleosis information.Lee S, Lin A, Baerg J, Wu E.Spontaneous splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis.J Pediatr Surg Case Rep. 2020 Dec;63(1):101680. doi:10.1016/j.epsc.2020.101680Becker JA, Smith JA.Return to play after infectious mononucleosis.Sports Health. 2014;6(3):232-8. doi:10.1177/1941738114521984Stanford Children’s Health.Reye syndrome in children.Delaney T, Helvey J, Shiffermiller J.A case of salicylate toxicity presenting with acute focal neurologic deficit in a 61-year old woman with a history of stroke.Am J Case Rep. 2020 Feb;21(1):1-5. doi:10.12659/AJCR.920016National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Reye’s syndrome.Magrum B, Pickworth K.Aspirin rechallenge in an adult patient previously diagnosed with Reye syndrome.Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2020 Jan;77(2):123-127. doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxz276Salama A.Treatment options for primary autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A short comprehensive review.Transfus Med Hemother. 2015 Sep;42(5):294-301. doi:10.1159/000438731Ónodi-Nagy K, Kinyó Á, Meszes A, Garaczi E, Kemény L, Bata-Csörgő Z.Amoxicillin rash in patients with infectious mononucleosis: evidence of true drug sensitization.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2015 Jan;11(1):1. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-11-1De Paor M, O’Brien K, Fahey T, Smith S.Antiviral agents for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever).Cochrane Rev. 2016 Dec;2016(12):1-38. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011487.pub2Kerr J.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors.J Clin Pathol. 2019 Jul;72(1):651-658.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis (Mono).Kofteridis D, Valachis A.Mononucleosis and Epstein–Barr virus infection: treatment and medication.VAT. 2012 Feb;2012(4):23-28. doi:10.2147/vaat.s17837Harvard Health Publishing.How much water should you drink?Lennon P, Crotty M, Fenton JE.Infectious mononucleosis.BMJ. 2015 Apr;350(1):h1825. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1825Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.NIOSH training for nurses on shift work and long work hours.Harvard Health Publishing.Fever in adults: When to worry.Mount Sinai.Mononucleosis information.Lee S, Lin A, Baerg J, Wu E.Spontaneous splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis.J Pediatr Surg Case Rep. 2020 Dec;63(1):101680. doi:10.1016/j.epsc.2020.101680Becker JA, Smith JA.Return to play after infectious mononucleosis.Sports Health. 2014;6(3):232-8. doi:10.1177/1941738114521984Stanford Children’s Health.Reye syndrome in children.Delaney T, Helvey J, Shiffermiller J.A case of salicylate toxicity presenting with acute focal neurologic deficit in a 61-year old woman with a history of stroke.Am J Case Rep. 2020 Feb;21(1):1-5. doi:10.12659/AJCR.920016National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Reye’s syndrome.Magrum B, Pickworth K.Aspirin rechallenge in an adult patient previously diagnosed with Reye syndrome.Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2020 Jan;77(2):123-127. doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxz276Salama A.Treatment options for primary autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A short comprehensive review.Transfus Med Hemother. 2015 Sep;42(5):294-301. doi:10.1159/000438731Ónodi-Nagy K, Kinyó Á, Meszes A, Garaczi E, Kemény L, Bata-Csörgő Z.Amoxicillin rash in patients with infectious mononucleosis: evidence of true drug sensitization.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2015 Jan;11(1):1. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-11-1De Paor M, O’Brien K, Fahey T, Smith S.Antiviral agents for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever).Cochrane Rev. 2016 Dec;2016(12):1-38. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011487.pub2Kerr J.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors.J Clin Pathol. 2019 Jul;72(1):651-658.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis (Mono).
Kofteridis D, Valachis A.Mononucleosis and Epstein–Barr virus infection: treatment and medication.VAT. 2012 Feb;2012(4):23-28. doi:10.2147/vaat.s17837
Harvard Health Publishing.How much water should you drink?
Lennon P, Crotty M, Fenton JE.Infectious mononucleosis.BMJ. 2015 Apr;350(1):h1825. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1825
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.NIOSH training for nurses on shift work and long work hours.
Harvard Health Publishing.Fever in adults: When to worry.
Mount Sinai.Mononucleosis information.
Lee S, Lin A, Baerg J, Wu E.Spontaneous splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis.J Pediatr Surg Case Rep. 2020 Dec;63(1):101680. doi:10.1016/j.epsc.2020.101680
Becker JA, Smith JA.Return to play after infectious mononucleosis.Sports Health. 2014;6(3):232-8. doi:10.1177/1941738114521984
Stanford Children’s Health.Reye syndrome in children.
Delaney T, Helvey J, Shiffermiller J.A case of salicylate toxicity presenting with acute focal neurologic deficit in a 61-year old woman with a history of stroke.Am J Case Rep. 2020 Feb;21(1):1-5. doi:10.12659/AJCR.920016
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Reye’s syndrome.
Magrum B, Pickworth K.Aspirin rechallenge in an adult patient previously diagnosed with Reye syndrome.Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2020 Jan;77(2):123-127. doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxz276
Salama A.Treatment options for primary autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A short comprehensive review.Transfus Med Hemother. 2015 Sep;42(5):294-301. doi:10.1159/000438731
Ónodi-Nagy K, Kinyó Á, Meszes A, Garaczi E, Kemény L, Bata-Csörgő Z.Amoxicillin rash in patients with infectious mononucleosis: evidence of true drug sensitization.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2015 Jan;11(1):1. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-11-1
De Paor M, O’Brien K, Fahey T, Smith S.Antiviral agents for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever).Cochrane Rev. 2016 Dec;2016(12):1-38. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011487.pub2
Kerr J.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors.J Clin Pathol. 2019 Jul;72(1):651-658.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
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