There is no specific drug treatment for mono. Because it is a viral illness, antibiotics are not helpful.
The most important thing you can do is to get plenty of rest. Take acetaminophen for the fever and sore throat.
UHS Pharmacy
The UHS Pharmacy sells a wide variety of over-the-counter medications, including acetaminophen. Ask our pharmacists to help you choose appropriate medications for your symptoms.
If your symptoms seem to be worsening rather than gradually improving after 1 to 2 weeks, tell your health care provider. You could develop strep throat or a sinus infection. An uncommon complication of mono is an abscess (pocket of infection) on the tonsil. These secondary infections need to be treated with antibiotics.
Sometimes the mono infection causes the tonsils to become so big that they nearly block the throat. Steroids may be prescribed to try to decrease the size of the tonsils.
The virus may inflame your liver, so it is important not to drink alcohol when you have mono. Alcohol could further injure your liver.
An enlarged spleen might rupture should it be hit or strained. A rupture of the spleen causes severe bleeding and is a medical emergency. For this reason, you should avoid heavy lifting and any kind of jarring activity or contact sport. Your activities will need to be restricted until your spleen returns to a normal size. Otherwise, you will gradually be able to return to school, work, and sports.
How long will the effects last?
Your symptoms may get worse for 2 or 3 weeks after they first appear. Usually the fever, sore throat, and extreme fatigue last about 1 to 2 weeks. It can take several weeks, and in some cases several months, for the body's immune system to overcome the virus. You may continue to be infectious for many months after you recover from the infection.
The Epstein-Barr virus stays in the body even after you recover. It's possible for you to have mono again, but this does not usually happen.
What can be done to help prevent infectious mononucleosis?
The best way to prevent others around you from getting mono is for them to avoid contact with your saliva. They can do this, for example, by avoiding kissing you and by not sharing food or eating and drinking containers and utensils.
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