What are the complications of mono?

What are the complications of mono?

A common, but usually not serious, complication of mono is a mild inflammation of the liver or hepatitis. This form of hepatitis is rarely serious and rarely requires treatment. The enlargement of the spleen that occurs with mono makes traumatic rupture of the spleen a possible complication. Fortunately, the more severe complications of mono are quite rare, and mono is very rarely fatal in healthy people. The rare severe complications include destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) and inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis), the heart muscle itself (myocarditis), and the brain (encephalitis). Mono tends to be more aggressive in patients with abnormal immune systems, such as people with AIDS or those who are taking medications that suppress immune function. The EBV has been associated with some types of cancers, most commonly lymphomas. As well, some studies have linked EBV to the development of at least one subtype of Hodgkin's disease.

Infectious Mononucleosis At A Glance

Infectious mononucleosis is a contagious illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

The infection can be spread by saliva, and the incubation period for mono is four to six weeks.

Most adults have laboratory evidence (antibodies against the EBV) indicative of a previous infection with EBV and are immune to further infection.

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

Diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests.

Mono can cause liver inflammation (hepatitis) and enlargement of the spleen.

People who have had mono can continue to shed virus particles in their saliva during reactivations of the viral infection throughout their lifetime.

Vigorous contact sports should be avoided in the illness and recovery phase to prevent rupture of the spleen.