|  | Conditions Treatments | Infectious Diseases

Signs & Symptoms of Mono in Toddlers

Mononucleosis, or mono, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is transmitted through saliva. Although the virus usually only impacts teenagers and young adults, it can also affect young children and toddlers. According to Doctor Robert Frenck of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the symptoms of mononucleosis vary depending on the age of the person infected. Although mono is rarely considered a dangerous illness in toddlers, it is still important to know the signs and symptoms.

  1. Home Assessment

    • The symptoms of mono typically will not appear until 4 to 6 weeks after the toddler is exposed. At that time, the toddler will likely begin experiencing symptoms similar to those seen with a cold or flu. The child will typically have a sore throat, accompanied by a mild fever. With mono, the fever may spike quickly. Occasionally, the toddler will experience a mild skin rash. One of the most important signs to be aware of is fatigue. Children infected with mono are commonly very fatigued. They often seem to have little energy to participate in their normal daily activities. Although rare, a toddler with mono may also experience headaches, abdominal pain and sore muscles.

    Doctor's Assessment

    • Upon a physical examination, the doctor will probably find that the toddler has swollen lymph nodes, likely located in the neck, groin and armpits. The toddler may also have an enlarged spleen or liver, which are commonly associated with mononucleosis. If mono is suspected, the doctor will likely administer a blood test. The toddler’s blood sample should feature an increased number of white blood cells or antibodies against the Epstein-Barr virus.

    Considerations

    • In many cases, toddlers infected with the Epstein-Barr virus have no symptoms at all, according to Doctor Nathan Litman, the director of Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Montefiore in New York. The National Center for Infectious Diseases also acknowledges this fact, continuing to say that in may cases, the symptoms that are caused by mono during childhood are often indistinguishable from other mild toddler illnesses.

Infectious Diseases - Related Articles