How to Get Rid of Mono

Mononucleosis

Have you ever experienced going home from work or school and feeling unusually tired even if you haven’t done anything particularly exhausting? What’s worse is if your strange fatigue is accompanied by fever, sore throat, and headache. These are telltale signs that you are suffering from mono, or infectious mononucleosis. Many cases of mono are seen in teens and young adults, although the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mono, is usually acquired in childhood.

Mono can leave you feeling tired and weak for weeks, even if the other symptoms are gone. There is no real cure for mono. It usually goes away on its own after a couple of weeks. But there are some things you can do to feel better and ease discomfort. Here are some suggestions on how to get rid of mono.

 

What Causes Mono?

James Heilman, MD, via Wikimedia Commons

Mono is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EPV). You can get the virus when you kiss another infected person, which is why mono is sometimes called the kissing disease. Sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, utensils, and drinking glasses also increases your risk of acquiring the virus.

Not all people who get the virus suffer from mono. If you have been infected with EPV, the virus will stay in your body for the rest of your life, but the chances of suffering from mono again are slim.

 

How to Get Rid of Mono at Home

1. Have plenty of rest.

The best way to get rid of mono fast is to give your body a lot of rest. Having adequate rest allows your body to fight the infection. The symptoms of mono are at their worst during the early stages, so make sure you practice good self-care. Do not force yourself to go to work or school and just hit the bed.

2. Stay hydrated.

Your symptoms may worsen if you get dehydrated. Having a high fever, in particular, could deplete the fluids in your body. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to reduce the risk of dehydration. You can also opt for fruit juices for much needed vitamins and sports drinks to replace lost electrolytes.

3. Treat secondary infections.

The symptoms of mono may vary from person to person, so it is best to identify the things that cause you discomfort. Among the most common secondary infections include fever and sore throat. You can suck on hard candy or drink tea with honey to ease your sore throat. You can also try gargling with salt water several times a day to get rid of mono sore throat.

4. Take painkillers.

To reduce fever and body aches, you may take painkillers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Take note that these medications do not have antiviral properties, so they can only help relieve mono pain. Also, do not let anybody under the age of 20 to take aspirin as it is linked to a potentially life-threatening disease known as Reye syndrome.

5. Avoid rigorous activities.

Suffering from mono could mean some necessary changes in your daily routine. You may start to feel better after 2 weeks of plenty of rest, but it may not be a good idea to just push through with your hectic schedule. Wait for your doctor to give you the go signal. Until then, avoid engaging in vigorous activities, heavy lifting, contact sports, and the like. Forceful activities could cause your spleen to burst, which is temporarily enlarged when you are suffering from mono. This leads to internal bleeding and requires immediate medical care.

 

How to Prevent Mono

As with other infections, the key to prevent mono is to avoid sharing personal items and practice basic preventive measures such as washing the hands with soap and water and covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. If your partner suffers from mono, you may also want to resist the temptation to kiss him or her until the symptoms of mono are gone.