Mononucleosis medical therapy

Infectious mononucleosis is generally self-limiting and only symptomatic and/or supportive treatments are used. However, severe tonsillar enlargement may cause life-threatening airway obstruction and therefore, close monitoring of such high-risk patients is essential. Glucocorticoids may be indicated in such cases of severe airway obstruction. Acyclovir has been tried as they decrease oropharyngeal viral shedding. Recently, valacyclovir has shown to lower or eliminate the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus in subjects afflicted with acute mononucleosis, leading to a significant decrease in the severity of symptoms.

Supportive Therapy:

 * Infectious mononucleosis is generally self-limiting and only symptomatic and/or supportive treatments are used.


 * Rest is recommended during the acute phase of the infection, but activity should be resumed once acute symptoms have resolved (~3 weeks).


 * Contact sports or heavy physical activity should be avoided for a minimum 6-8 weeks or until splenomegaly has resolved as determined by ultrasound scan, to abrogate the risk of splenic rupture which is a common complication among these patients.

Pharmacotherapy:

 * Antipyretics such as acetaminophen/paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to reduce fever and pain. However, aspirin is avoided due to the risk of Reye's syndrome in children and young adults.


 * Intravenous corticosteroids, usually hydrocortisone or dexamethasone, are not recommended for routine use. However, they may be used in cases of airway obstruction, severe thrombocytopenia, or hemolytic anemia.


 * There is little evidence to support the use of acyclovir, although it may reduce initial oropharyngeal viral shedding. However, the antiviral drug valacyclovir has recently been shown to lower or eliminate the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus in subjects afflicted with acute mononucleosis, leading to a significant decrease in the severity of symptoms.


 * Antibiotics are not used as they are ineffective against viral infections. The antibiotics amoxicillin and ampicillin are contraindicated in the case of any coinciding bacterial infections during mononucleosis because their use can frequently precipitate a non-allergic rash.


 * In a small percentage of cases, mononucleosis infection is complicated by co-infection with streptococcal infection in the throat and tonsils (strep throat). Penicillin or other antibiotics (with the exception of the amoxicillin and ampicillin) should be administered to treat the strep throat.


 * Opioid analgesics are also contraindicated due to risk of respiratory depression.