Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsContagious PeriodRare SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to Seek Medical AttentionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Contagious Period
Rare Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to Seek Medical Attention
Frequently Asked Questions
Mono symptoms in kids include flu-like symptoms, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. However, many kids show no symptoms of mono.
While many of thesymptomsare similar to mono in adults, the virus can present differently in children.
This article will go over mono symptoms in kids. You’ll also learn how mono is diagnosed in kids, how children are treated for mono, and tips for preventing mono.
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Can a Child Get Mono More Than Once?
Frequent Symptoms of Mono in Kids
It’s common to mistake your child’s mono symptoms forthe fluorstrep throat. Since mononucleosis is usually associated with teens and college-age kids, you may not think that a child can get mono.
When a child is infected with mono, they won’t have symptoms right away. It usually takes two to four weeks for the symptoms to start.
Once they show up, mono symptoms can last several weeks. If your child does not show any improvement after a few days, talk with your healthcare provider about a possible mono diagnosis.
While each case of mono is unique, some of the most common symptoms include:
Can Kids Get Mono and Strep Throat at the Same Time?
How Long Is Mono Contagious in Kids?
A child with mono can spread the infection to others for as long as they are having symptoms. That means they could be contagious for weeks if not months.
They might also be able to keep spreading the virus after they get better, but studies haven’t found a definitive answer for how long mono remains contagious once a person heals.
It’s also possible for people to be carriers of the virus that causes mono. This means that they get infected and can spread the virus to other people without ever feeling sick themselves.
My Child Has Mono. How Long Are They Contagious?
Rare Symptoms of Mono in Kids
Mono can be serious in children. Most people are familiar with the common symptoms of mono like fatigue and fever, but you may not be aware of these rare symptoms:
The 3 Stages of a Mono Infection
How Mono in Kids Is Diagnosed
Diagnosing mono in children is the same as diagnosing it in teens and adults. Your child’s provider will ask you about any mono symptoms, do an exam, and may order some blood tests.
Here’s what your child’s provider will check for to diagnose mono:
What Is the Mono Blood Test?
Mono Treatment for Kids
Kids with mono need to focus on resting and staying hydrated and nourished.
A child with mono may need to take it easy for several weeks or even a month. Their provider might also put limits on how active they can be while they’re sick, especially if their spleen is enlarged.
How to Treat Mono At Home
How to Care For a Child With Mono
If your child has mono symptoms, like a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue, they’ll need to get medical care. Remember that mono symptoms usually last longer than those of a cold or the flu.
If your child is not starting to feel better a few days after symptom onset, call yourpediatrician. Your provider’s office staff will help you determine if you should bring your child into the clinic or opt for a telehealth visit.
Even after your child has been diagnosed with mono, don’t hesitate to call your provider if their symptoms change or if you are concerned.
Any sign of a serious complication such as difficulty breathing or confusion needs to be evaluated immediately.
What to Do If Your Child Has a Fever
Preventing Mono in Kids
Here are a few steps you can take to prevent mono:
How to Protect Your Kids From Mono
Summary
Mononucleosis or “mono” is a common viral infection. It’s usually associatedwith teensand college kids, but children can get mono too. At first, the symptoms of mono in kids can seem like a cold or the flu. However, they tend to last several weeks. There’s no specific medicine to treat mono in kids—mostly, they’ll just need to rest.
A Word From Verywell
The long list of potential symptoms and complications of mono can be overwhelming for any parent. It’s helpful to remember that most children and teens who are diagnosed with mono experience swollen lymph nodes, fever, and fatigue, and these symptoms usually resolve on their own. Talk with your healthcare provider if you suspect that your child has become ill with mono, and stay in close contact with them if your child’s symptoms start to change.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMono is spread through body fluids. Kids to pick up mono if they’re exposed to the saliva of someone who is sick. For example, a child could get mono from sharing a water bottle with a sick friend.Children with mono won’t start feeling sick for four to six weeks after they’ve caught the virus. Once they start feeling unwell, the symptoms of mono can last anywhere from two weeks to over a month.A child with mono is contagious for at least as long as they have symptoms, which can last for months. That said, some never develop symptoms but are still contagious.
Mono is spread through body fluids. Kids to pick up mono if they’re exposed to the saliva of someone who is sick. For example, a child could get mono from sharing a water bottle with a sick friend.
Children with mono won’t start feeling sick for four to six weeks after they’ve caught the virus. Once they start feeling unwell, the symptoms of mono can last anywhere from two weeks to over a month.
A child with mono is contagious for at least as long as they have symptoms, which can last for months. That said, some never develop symptoms but are still contagious.
When to Take Your Sick Child to the Pediatrician
8 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.Boston Children’s Hospital.Infectious mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Nemours Children’s Health.How Long Is Mono Contagious?.American Academy of Pediatrics.Mononucleosis.Wu Y, Ma S, Zhang L, Zu D, Gu F, Ding X, Zhang L.Clinical manifestations and laboratory results of 61 children with infectious mononucleosis.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(10):300060520924550. doi:10.1177/0300060520924550Nemours Children’s Health.Mononucleosis (Mono).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).About Infectious Mononucleosis.Nationwide Children’s.Mononucleosis (Infectious).
8 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.Boston Children’s Hospital.Infectious mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Nemours Children’s Health.How Long Is Mono Contagious?.American Academy of Pediatrics.Mononucleosis.Wu Y, Ma S, Zhang L, Zu D, Gu F, Ding X, Zhang L.Clinical manifestations and laboratory results of 61 children with infectious mononucleosis.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(10):300060520924550. doi:10.1177/0300060520924550Nemours Children’s Health.Mononucleosis (Mono).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).About Infectious Mononucleosis.Nationwide Children’s.Mononucleosis (Infectious).
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.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Infectious mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Nemours Children’s Health.How Long Is Mono Contagious?.American Academy of Pediatrics.Mononucleosis.Wu Y, Ma S, Zhang L, Zu D, Gu F, Ding X, Zhang L.Clinical manifestations and laboratory results of 61 children with infectious mononucleosis.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(10):300060520924550. doi:10.1177/0300060520924550Nemours Children’s Health.Mononucleosis (Mono).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).About Infectious Mononucleosis.Nationwide Children’s.Mononucleosis (Infectious).
Boston Children’s Hospital.Infectious mononucleosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Nemours Children’s Health.How Long Is Mono Contagious?.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Mononucleosis.
Wu Y, Ma S, Zhang L, Zu D, Gu F, Ding X, Zhang L.Clinical manifestations and laboratory results of 61 children with infectious mononucleosis.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(10):300060520924550. doi:10.1177/0300060520924550
Nemours Children’s Health.Mononucleosis (Mono).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).About Infectious Mononucleosis.
Nationwide Children’s.Mononucleosis (Infectious).
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