Mononucleosis is often referred to simply as ‘mono’ or ‘the kissing disease’.

The virus that causes mono is transmitted through saliva, most commonly you can get it through kissing, but it is also possible if you are exposed through a cough or sneeze, or sharing a glass or utensils with someone who has mono.

Symptoms of mono are a sore throat; this can commonly be misdiagnosed as strep throat but it doesn’t get better with treatment. Fatigue, fever, swollen tonsils, headache, swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits, skin rash, and a soft swollen spleen.

Mono has an incubation period of approximately four to six weeks, symptoms such as a sore throat and fever often lessen within a couple of weeks, but tiredness, swollen lymph nodes and a swollen spleen may last longer.  

Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and although the symptoms are uncomfortable, they will eventually go away on their own.

Mono can cause complications, most notably the enlargement of the spleen. In extreme cases, your spleen may rupture, causing a sudden sharp pain on the left-hand side of your abdomen.  If this occurs, it is likely you will need a surgery.

There is no specific treatment for the Epstein-Barr virus and anti-biotics wont work against viral infections like mono. Resting, eating healthily, and drinking plenty of fluids will be recommended by your doctor.

If you develop a streptococcal infection (strep) in the throat, or an infection of the tonsillis (tonsillitis) as a result of mono, your doctor may prescribe a course of oral antibiotics to treat the accompanying bacterial infections. 

If you have mono, you don’t necessarily need to be quarantined, but you will need to take it easy for a while. It will take your body a while to fight off the virus and you’ll need to be patient in the meantime.