3 minutes read3 minutes readMononucleosis is one of those illnesses that can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or where they live. In all likelihood, if you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably had Mononucleosis or known someone who’s had it.
But most people don’t know how to react when they get it. Is it an STI? Do they need treatment?
If you think you have Mono and are wondering what to do about it, keep reading.
What is infectious Mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis, also known as “Mono” or the “kissing disease”, is a viral infection frequently caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).
It affects the lymphatic system, which is a part of the immune system that helps fight off infections and diseases.
What are the symptoms of Mono?
Classic Mono symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes or glands in the neck and armpits
- Body aches
- Rash
- Headache
- Jaundice (in rare cases)
The symptoms of Mono can last for weeks or even months – in some cases up to six months – making it difficult to function while suffering from the virus. People infected with Mononucleosis may experience extreme exhaustion as well as difficulty concentrating due to the lingering effects caused by the virus.
Mono can wreak havoc on student populations. Because of how infectious the disease is and because of how severely it can affect a person’s ability to function, students with Mono are often forced to isolate for days, weeks, or even months, causing them to fall behind in their studies. It’s not uncommon for students in secondary and tertiary education to miss whole semesters because of Mono.
How does Mono spread?
Mononucleosis spreads through close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.
After all, we call Mono the “kissing disease” for a reason it easily spreads through saliva and mouth-to-mouth contact. But kissing isn’t the only way this infection can spread.
Mono can easily spread through sharing food and drinking glasses, coughing and sneezing, and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. However, Mono isn’t an airborne disease, so it can’t spread by breathing the air around someone who has it.
Can Mono spread through sex?
Mononucleosis can be spread through sexual contact, including kissing and the exchange of other body fluids. Therefore, this infection can be classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
However, Mono isn’t normally considered an STI by medical professionals because its main route of transmission is kissing, which isn’t necessarily part of sex. It can get even more confusing because Mono shares a lot of symptoms in common with some STIs, like Herpes, HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.
How do I know it’s Mono?
While Mono does present with distinct symptoms, there’s no way to know unless you get tested. If you think you may have gotten an infection from sexual contact, you should get an STI test, just in case.
Can Mono be treated?
There is no vaccine for mononucleosis, and it is not curable. However, it will usually resolve on its own. Treatment focuses on managing and relieving symptoms. These include:
- Getting plenty of rest
- Taking over-the-counter medications to reduce fever or pain
- Drinking fluids
- Gargling with warm saltwater to soothe a sore throat
- Using throat sprays or lozenges
You should also avoid contact sports that could potentially cause your spleen to rupture.
Final thoughts
If you’re experiencing symptoms of Mono, but you’re unsure what you have, you should get a sexual health test.
At Better2Know, we offer a range of confidential STI testing services to help you take control of your sexual health. Call the number listed above to speak to one of our Sexual Health Advisors.
This article first appeared on 23/06/2023. Last updated 23/01/2026.
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Steve Chapman, 03/02/2026.
