Diagnosed With Mono in College? Here’s What to Do

A common and highly contagious viral infection, mononucleosis (mono) is mainly spread from person to person through saliva. That’s why it is often referred to as “the kissing disease.” On college campuses, mono often spreads like wildfire—not so much because of the kissing connection but more because so many young people are living in close quarters.

What Are the Signs of Mono?

The symptoms of mono can be like those of the common cold—mild fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a sore throat. However, a telltale characteristic of mono is overwhelming fatigue. The resulting exhaustion can be particularly hard on a college student who may be taking a heavy course load, probably not getting enough sleep, possibly not eating balanced meals, and perhaps adjusting to being away from home for the first time. Burning the candle at both ends like that can lead to stress which, in turn, can impair the ability of the body’s immune system to fight off infections such as mono.

How Is Mono Diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of mono while away at school, you should visit your student health center or seek medical attention in another setting right away. To confirm your diagnosis, a medical professional may perform a rapid blood test known as Monospot, and possibly a complete blood count (CBC).

How Is Mono Treated?

Other than getting an abundance of rest, there is not a whole lot you can do for mono, which simply needs to run its course. Still, it is important to receive an accurate diagnosis, which can help explain your fatigue and other symptoms and rule out other causes, such as strep throat.

Although you should start to feel better within a week or two, you might not feel completely like yourself for a few months. Until you do, you should drink plenty of water and other fluids to help prevent dehydration. If swallowing is painful, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease your sore throat. As your body fights off mono, your spleen may temporarily become enlarged. To help prevent spleen damage, you should avoid contact sports for a few weeks.

As a busy college student, you might be concerned about falling behind while you recover from mono. But you should not push yourself. The best approach is to put your coursework first and put other activities on hold until you feel better.

If you would like to be tested for mono, you are welcome to visit South Tampa Immediate Care. Our walk-in clinic at 602 South Howard Avenue is conveniently located near several college campuses in Tampa, FL. You can also save time by entering our waiting room remotely.