Infectious Mononucleosis: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Need to Know

When you hear "mono," you might think of a college student sleeping through finals—but infectious mononucleosis, a viral illness caused primarily by the Epstein-Barr virus. Also known as glandular fever, it’s not just about tiredness—it’s a full-body response that can last weeks and leave you wondering why you feel so wrecked. This isn’t just a bad cold. It’s your immune system going into overdrive, triggered by a virus that most people catch at some point in their lives—often without even knowing it.

The Epstein-Barr virus, a member of the herpesvirus family that spreads through saliva. Also known as EBV, it’s behind most cases of mono and can linger in your body for life after the initial infection. You don’t need to share a drink or kiss to catch it—just being near someone who coughs or sneezes after touching their mouth can do it. Kids often get it with mild symptoms, but teens and adults tend to get hit harder: extreme fatigue, swollen tonsils, fever, and that telltale sore throat that feels like it’s been sandpapered. Lymph nodes in the neck and armpits swell up, and your spleen might enlarge, which is why doctors warn you not to play contact sports during recovery.

There’s no quick fix. Antibiotics don’t work because it’s a virus. Rest isn’t just advice—it’s medicine. Drinking water, avoiding alcohol, and skipping heavy lifting can prevent rare but serious complications like a ruptured spleen. Some people feel better in two weeks, but fatigue can drag on for months. That’s normal. It doesn’t mean you’re weak or doing something wrong—it means your body is still cleaning up.

You’ll find real stories here about how people managed fatigue while working or going to school, what helped with swollen tonsils, and why some supplements might help—or hurt. You’ll also see how mono connects to other conditions like chronic fatigue, autoimmune triggers, and long-term immune changes. This isn’t just a list of articles—it’s a guide for people who’ve been told "it’s just mono" and need more than that.