Mononucleosis In Babies: Symptoms, Complication And Treatment

Babies may not develop symptoms, but see a doctor if they experience extreme fatigue.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anjan Bhattacharya, MBBS, DCH Dr. Anjan Bhattacharya Dr. Anjan BhattacharyaMBBS, DCH Specialty: Developmental PediatricsExperience: 30 years
Written by , Medical Doctor Dr Bisny T. Joseph Medical Doctor Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health and Medical TreatmentsExperience: 5 years
Edited by , BSc, MBA Rohit Garoo BSc, MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Health and WellnessExperience: 9 years
Fact-checked by , M.Tech Shinta Liz Sunny M.Tech Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 4 years
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Infectious mononucleosis (mono), also known as glandular fever or kissing disease, is a viral illness that causes flu-like symptoms, tiredness, and enlargement of the lymph glands. Mono occurs globally in any season.

Although it is common among adolescents and young adults, newborns may contract viruses through the oral secretions of parents, siblings, or anyone who is infected and in close contact with them (1).

Read this MomJunction post to know about the causes, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mononucleosis in babies.

In This Article

Causes Of Mononucleosis In Babies

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or human gammaherpesvirus is the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis. According to a National Institutes of Health study, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is highly prevalent, infecting more than 90% of individuals worldwide. Other viruses, such as cytomegalovirus, can also cause mononucleosis, but the clinical presentation may vary from EBV infection.

The incubation period of mono can be around six weeks. During this time, the virus replicates in the oral cavity and enters the blood. The exact time of virus transmission is not known (2)

The disease usually spreads from the saliva of infected people. Babies may contract the infection in any of the following ways (1):

  • Kissing
  • Exposure to sneeze or cough
  • Sharing spoons or glasses
  • Chewing used toothbrushes
Babies may contract mononucleosis if they chew used toothbrushes

Image: Shutterstock

  • Pre-chewing foods (premastication or kiss feeding, which means chewing food in order to feed that to the baby)
  • Straws

It is a contagious disease, and the virus may remain inactive in babies’ throat and blood cells for a long time after the acute illness.

protip_icon Point to consider
Ensure your baby’s child care center regularly cleans mouthed toys and surfaces with a 10% bleach solution to prevent your child from getting mono (13).

Signs And Symptoms Of Mononucleosis In Babies

Some babies may not develop any symptoms or may have only mild symptoms of mono. The following symptoms are usually seen in a few babies (3) (4):

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Skin rash
Skin rash may indicate mononucleosis in babies

Image: Shutterstock

  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Swollen lymph glands, often in the neck, underarms, and groin
  • Body ache
  • Swollen liver
  • Jaundice (rare)
  • Spleen swelling

Although rare, you may also notice the following signs and symptoms:

  • Decreased appetite
  • Swollen eyelids
  • PhotosensitivityiA condition that causes hypersensitivity to sunlight, leading to excessive sunburn or rash upon exposure
  • AnemiaiA condition where the body lacks red blood cells for sufficient oxygen supply throughout the body

The signs and symptoms may disappear in four weeks; however, in some cases, babies may have extreme fatigue for a few more weeks

. These symptoms can also be seen in other diseases and, therefore, you may seek medical care for an exact diagnosis.

The virus can remain inactive in the oral cavity and blood cells for a lifetime after the infection. Usually, there is no risk for developing mononucleosis again after the primary infection.

Symptoms may come on gradually about 4-6 weeks after someone is infected with the virus. When symptoms appear, they may be severe for a few days before slowly getting milder. If symptoms linger or get worse, call your doctor.

protip_icon Quick fact
Mono is sometimes mistaken for the strep throat, common cold, or flu (12).

Complications Of Mono In Babies

The course of mononucleosis is comparatively mild in babies. However, there is a risk of developing complications, such as (1) (5):

  • Upper airway obstruction from swollen tonsils
  • Meningitis—inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. Fever, stiff neck, and bulging of the head are often noticed in babies during meningitis.
  • Encephalitis—inflammation of the brain. You may notice sleepiness, skin rash, stiff neck, etc. during encephalitis. Babies may also have seizures during brain inflammation.
  • Guillain-Baree syndrome—a rare complication in which the immune system attacks the nerves. It may occur later in the course of the disease and is often associated with neurological symptoms (6). It may even cause respiratory distress in some people.
  • Myocarditis—an inflammation of the heart muscles often associated with high viral load.
  • Thrombocytopenia a rare form of EBV infection associated with a slight decrease in platelet count.
  • Orchitis—an inflammation of the testes.
  • Rupture of the spleen
  • Hepatitis- Some reports suggest that EBV infection may cause mild hepatocellular hepatitis (7).
  • Pneumonia- In a patient with a history of infectious mononucleosis, a study revealed an incidence of pneumonitis induced by EBV (8).
  • Leukopenia- in a few rare cases, EBV has been associated with leukopenia, characterized by lower-than-normal white blood cells (9).

Diagnosis Of Mononucleosis In Babies

Your doctor may diagnose mononucleosis from symptoms and examination of the lymph glands. The following tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis (10):

  • Blood tests: White blood cell count and the presence of atypical lymphocytes are crucial to the diagnosis of mono.
A blood test may help diagnose mononucleosis in babies

Image: Shutterstock

  • Monospot test or heterophile antibody test: This test helps identify the antibodies produced as a result of an EBV infection. Antibody analysis helps differentiate the cause of mononucleosis. Viruses other than EBV give negative results during heterophile antibody tests.

Your doctor may also order some additional tests to diagnose mononucleosis. Complications often require ECG or EEG tests, or cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

protip_icon Quick fact
Symptoms of liver damage due to EBV include temporary jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes) and high levels of bilirubiniA byproduct of old broken down red blood cells, found in the liver, that is excreted from the body in the bloodstream. Other symptoms may include fatigue, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite (5).

Treatment Of Mononucleosis In Babies

Giving sufficient breastmilk can help babies recover from mononucleosis

Image: Shutterstock

Mononucleosis is a self-limiting disease in healthy babies, and the symptoms are relieved within two to eight weeks. There is no particular therapy or vaccine to treat or prevent mononucleosis. The following ways may help your baby in recovery (11) (12):

  • Giving enough fluids or breastmilk
  • Taking enough rest to recover
  • Administering acetaminophen for fever and pain
  • Administering corticosteroidsiA group of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex that are used for treatments in synthetic form to reduce inflammation to reduce throat pain and swelling if the swollen tonsils cause breathing problems

Do not give over-the-counter medications to babies without a doctor’s advice. Your baby may require hospitalization in severe cases. Mono can be critical in babies with low immunity, and they may require supportive treatments and antiviral treatments. Your doctor may prescribe medications based on the severity of symptoms and complications of mono.

Note: Antibiotic treatments are not given since mono is a viral infection. Inappropriate use of antibiotics could lead to resistance.

Prevention Of Mono In Babies

Crushing food before feeding can prevent mono in babies

Image: Shutterstock

There is no approved vaccine or medication to prevent mononucleosis. The following tips may help prevent mono in babies (13):

  • Do not share the baby’s utensils with other family members
  • Grind or crush solid food for babies instead of pre-chewing
  • Keep used toothbrushes or teethers out of babies’ reach

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a parent get mono from a kid?

Yes. Mono in kids can be transmitted to their parents through close contact (17).

2. When is mono most contagious?

Mono is most contagious from just before the onset of symptoms until they go away. However, infected people may remain infectious for months after their symptoms subside (18).

3. Can a baby get mononucleosis more than once?

Most people develop mononucleosis only once in their lifetime despite having the inactive virus in their body after the symptoms fade. However, in extremely rare cases of a weakened immune system, people may develop mono symptoms again (19)

4. What is the typical age range for babies to get mononucleosis?

Mononucleosis is a common infection that can occur at any age, but it is more common between 15 and 30 years of an individual’s life (20).

Although mononucleosis in babies is not congenital and common, they may develop the disease from an infected adult through kissing, sharing utensils, or exposure to cough. If your baby has mononucleosis, they may show symptoms such as fever, fatigue, swollen liver and spleen, and jaundice. Since mononucleosis is a self-limiting disease, these symptoms may disappear after a few weeks; however, the virus may stay active in the oral cavity for a lifetime. To treat the condition in babies, give them fluids or breast milk and provide rest. Always consult a doctor for the medicines to be administered to the babies. In rare cases, infections with EBV may increase the risk of nasopharyngeal canceriA rare form of cancer that develops in the upper portion of the throat, behind the nose causing difficulty breathing and swallowing , Hodgkin’s lymphomaiCancer that affects the lymphatic system, leading to symptoms such as enlarged lymph nodes and reduced immunity , and Burkitt’s lymphomaiCancer more common in children than adults, affecting the lymphatic system and characterized by stomach pain, weakness, and fatigue (14). Therefore, it is best to prevent this disease by not sharing babies’ utensils and keeping used toothbrushes out of their reach.

Infographic: Treatment And Prevention Of Mono In Babies

Infectious mononucleosis in babies is a virally transmitted condition that usually resolves on its own and is rarely concerning. However, it may cause complications, especially in infants with weakened immune systems. While there’s no specific treatment, symptoms can be managed with prescribed medications, and simple preventive measures can help prevent transmission. Read this infographic to learn more about treating and preventing mono in babies.

mononucleosis in babies treatment and prevention (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Mononucleosis is a common contagious disease with flu-like symptoms transmitted through salivary secretions.
  • The disease is identified by symptoms including fever, sore throat, skin rash, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and body ache.
  • With rest and care, a healthy diet, and plenty of fluids, symptoms subside within four to eight weeks, but some babies may face prolonged symptoms.
  • Meningitis, encephalitis, ruptured spleen, inflamed testes, or obstruction of the airway are among the complications of the disease in infants.
  • Avoiding sharing utensils and maintaining hygiene while feeding the baby may reduce the chances of infection.

Illustration: Mononucleosis In Babies: Symptoms Complication And Treatment

mononucleosis in babies_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Learn more about infectious mononucleosis, a common condition caused by a viral infection. This informative video will help you understand more about its causes, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Henry H Balfour, Jr, et al.; Infectious mononucleosis; The United States National Library of Medicine
2. Samantha K. Dunmire, et al.; The Incubation Period of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: Viral Dynamics and Immunologic Events; The United States National Library of Medicine
3. Epstein-Barr Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4. Mononucleosis; The United States National Library of Medicine
5. Infectious Mononucleosis; Johns Hopkins Medicine
6. Guillain-Barré Syndrome; CDC
7. Infectious Mononucleosis Hepatitis in Young Adults: Two Case Reports; National Library of Medicine
8. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induced pneumonitis in an immunocompetent adult: A case report; National Library of Medicine
9. [Agranulocytosis as a complication of acute infectious mononucleosis]; National Library of Medicine
10. Mononucleosis Tests; Regents of the University of Michigan
11. About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono); CDC
12. Mononucleosis Complications; University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority
13. Infectious mononucleosis fact sheet; The Government of New South Wales
14. Henrik Hjalgrim, et al.; Human Herpesviruses: Biology, Therapy, and Immunoprophylaxis.; The United States National Library of Medicine
15. Mono: what to watch for in children of all ages; Edward Elmhurst Health
16. Mononucleosis; Delaware Health and Social Services
17. Mononucleosis; American Academy of Pediatrics
18. How Is Mono Spread?; Nemours Children’s Health
19. Mononucleosis; Cleveland Clinic

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Dr. Anjan Bhattacharya
Dr. Anjan BhattacharyaDCH, MRCP, MRCPCH
Dr. Anjan Bhattacharya has worked in the field of pediatrics, neonatology and developmental pediatrics both in India and the UK for more than last 30 years, 12 years of that being in the UK.  While working in London, he has developed special interest in developmental pediatrics.

Read full bio of Dr. Anjan Bhattacharya
Dr Bisny T. Joseph
Dr Bisny T. JosephMedical Doctor
Dr. Bisny T. Joseph is a Georgian Board-certified physician. She has completed her professional graduate degree as a medical doctor from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia. She has around 5 years of experience in various sectors of medical affairs as a physician, medical reviewer, medical writer, health coach, and Q&A expert.

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Rohit Garoo
Rohit GarooBSc, MBA
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Shinta Liz Sunny
Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech
Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

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