Mono in Adults

Updated on January 10, 2012
J.H. asks from Collins, OH
8 answers

I started feeling ill two and half weeks ago. I got a little better, but then developed a rash (red bumps that itch) and my sore throat got worse. I also got extremely exhausted.

I went to the doctor (he managed to squeeze me in) and my lymph nodes were swollen and I've been running a fever. He said my spleen was soft and slightly swollen. They did a throat swab. The doctor came back in and said I didn't have strep, that I had mono. He told me to go home and rest, take B Complex, Echinacea, and drink lots of water. (He wanted to hospitalize me, but I flat out refused.) That was just less than a week ago. My fever hasn't gone lower than a low grade fever. I have some energy and am not sleeping as much, but I'm still not back to 100%.

Today, I started feeling nauseous and have diarrhea. I still have a fever (it's fluctuating between 99.9 and 102.7). I went to get up to go to the bathroom and suddenly got lightheaded. I almost passed out. (In addition, my arms and legs started tingling and went numb.)

The doctor didn't draw blood, just did the throat swap and physical exam. Have any of you had mono? Is it possible that this is something else, or is mono really this bad in adults?

Hubby says if I'm still feeling dehydrated by this evening he's taking me to the hospital. (I also have kidney issues, so dehydration is a serious issue for me.)

TIA!

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J.T.

answers from College Station on

Mono is very dangerous is adults. If the Dr wanted to put you in the hospital, it was for a very good reason. They don't throw that word around lightly.
I would have you husband call the Dr and have the hospital orders executed!

More Answers

★.O.

answers from Tampa on

I had mono last year at 31 y/o... severe debilitating joint pain, fever, chills, and extreme fatigue were my symptoms. I was diagnosed in the ER when my symptoms didn't end by day 4 - blood draw confirmed diagnosis.

If you are concerned - I'd definitely have a blood draw done, maybe a culture too, to see if any bacteria grows.

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I had mono when I was 19. I was IN BED for about a month and then after a month I was home from work. So out of work for 2 months total. Your dr. should have done a blood test. I think that's the only way to confirm it. I do remember being really weak and passing out a lot. If your dr. wants you to be in the hospital, then you should go. Mono can be very dangerous if you don't take care of your self. I hope you feel better soon

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

If you tested positive for Mono then you have Mono...it's not a test that can show positive and the illness not be there. He wanted to put you in the hospital and you then went home and did not get well...maybe the doc knew what was needed.

One of my high school friends is a pre-K teacher and she has Mono right now. She was in the hospital for a few days, took weeks of antibiotics, has lost nearly down to skin and bones, has missed many days of work, is tired so much that she is still laying down every day and taking a long nap.

Mono is a serious illness that can cause death. I think if the doc said I had it bad enough to be put in the hospital I would expect to not get well until I followed the doc's treatment plan.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Sounds like you're dehydrated. Push fluids. And mono can be bad, no matter ones age.

Anytime the doctor wants to put someone in the hospital I suggest to follow his advice. The medical community tries to keep us out of the hospital.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

LOVE IV drips!! Love.

Anyhow... back to Mono.

6 months of falling asleep while doing strenuos activity like brushing my teeth, or peeing, or putting on socks. And activities where I wasn't moving (like sitting) were almost guaranteed to knock me out.

Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

I was easily sleeping 20 hours a day for 3 months, and then scaled way back to 15 hours a day for the next 3 months.

Aside from the fatigue and on again, off again fevers... I was asymptomatic. Positive blood test confirmed.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

mono sucks, sucks, sucks. I was diagnosed, at age 48, last May. Spent 2 months non-functioning, but surprisingly....the dr allowed my daycare to stay open. It was ALL I could do to stay awake those long days!

I had been treated twice in a 6 week period for bronchitis, & then an ear infection. After my 2nd round of antibiotics for the ear, I finally went into the dr & requested to be tested for mono. They did a throat swab & a blood test. Swab showed positive...as did the bloodwk. I was also negative for strep.

I wouldn't wait...since you already have kidney issues. Mono is serious, it can lead to many other problems.....get to the dr/hospital!

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Mono can be mild but usually not. It's a monster....I agree with Sue...sleep, sleep, sleep. You can also go to the health store and buy some digestive enzymes to speed up killing that virus. I specifically use Viro-stop by Enzymedica. Enzymedica is a pharmaceutical grade health company and their quality is superior.

You're right to drink water. The virus will dehydrate you. Coconut water is a wonderful natural electrolyte solution that tastes great! You can get it at the health store as well.

God bless and feel better soon!
M.

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