Is Mono an STD? What You Need to Know

Have you had mono? You’ve likely heard of the infectious disease called mono, considering that, before turning 35, 90% of adults get the Epstein-Barr virus (EPV) that usually causes it. (However, not everyone with EPV will contract mono.)

Infectious mononucleosis, also known as mono or “the kissing disease,” spreads primarily through saliva. So, is mono an STD if you can get it from someone’s bodily fluids? 

At Rapid STD Testing, we want to help keep everyone educated and safe. We provide same-day STD testing with instant, discreet results so you can prioritize treatments. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about mono as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). 

What Is Mono?

Mono is a highly contagious infection, usually caused by the same virus that causes herpes called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Not everyone who comes in contact with the virus will develop the flu-like symptoms of mono, though many do. 

An infected person can spread mono through sexual contact and daily activities, like sharing straws or drinking from the same cup. Since the virus commonly travels through saliva, many refer to mono as the kissing disease. 

Mono also spreads through vaginal, penile, and cervical secretion, meaning you can get it through sex. In rare cases, mono may spread through organ transplants or blood, though most commonly, it happens when people share intimate contacts.

Teenagers and younger adults have the greatest risks of contracting mono, though young children occasionally get it. The most common age group for getting mono is 15 to 24, and unfortunately, this group also often struggles with the most severe symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every four teenagers and young adults will develop mono after encountering the virus. 

People with compromised immune systems also suffer increased risks of contracting mono since their bodies can’t adequately fight viral infections. 

Is Mono Considered an STD?

If you’re wondering, “Can mono be sexually transmitted?” the answer is yes, though this doesn’t instantly categorize it as an STD. Mono spreads in many ways, including genital secretion, which means that it can sometimes act as a sexually transmitted infection, though not always. Since the virus also infects people through saliva, it doesn’t necessarily involve sexual contact.

So, is mono considered an STD? Sometimes yes, depending on how you contracted it. If you had unsafe sex and got sick, you contracted mono as a sexually transmitted infection. If you got mono from drinking out of a friend’s straw, you don’t have an STD. 

The top ways to contract mono include:

• Sexual contact: If you have sex without protection, you could contract mono from your partner. Sexual contact includes oral sex, hand jobs, and penetration. If you wish to avoid any viral or bacterial infection, you must use caution during any of these activities. 
• Kissing: Most people don’t realize how easily saliva spreads. A simple peck on the lips can infect you with mono. The best way to avoid the virus is by ensuring that your partner isn’t sick before sharing a kiss. 
• Non-sexual contact: Regular activities you normally wouldn’t think twice about could leave you bedridden for weeks if someone around you has mono. Avoid sharing straws, sipping from the same cup, or double-dipping chips in salsa with friends so you can reduce the spread. 

Aside from mono, the activities defined above increase your risk of contracting various other conditions that can compromise your physical and sexual health. If you’d like to learn more about the subject, we recommend reading about getting an STD without having sex. 

When asking, “Is mono an STD?” it's important to recognize the stigma around the term. Many people fail to realize how common STDs are, creating a lack of education and general shame surrounding the subject.

If you think you may have mono, don’t fear whether or not it’s an STD; instead, get tested using Rapid STD Testing or visit a local clinic so you can work toward feeling better. 

Common Mono STD Symptoms

Mono usually mimics the symptoms of the common flu or cold, though its severity fluctuates for each person. Typically, symptoms begin four to six weeks after exposure, making it hard to pinpoint who spread the infection to you. The most common mono STD symptoms include:

• Fatigue: A typical mono symptom is extreme fatigue. Many people report feeling excessively exhausted, even when getting plenty of rest. 
• Body aches: Body aches often feel like sore muscles and joints, though they continue hurting even when resting. Aches might consume your entire body or only certain portions. 
• Sore throat: Sharp pains in your throat can develop into strep throat, a bacterial infection. Regardless, this symptom causes discomfort when swallowing, drinking water, and eating. 
• Swollen lymph nodes: Lymph nodes are immune system structures filled with white blood cells that often become inflamed when you’re sick. Mono patients often suffer swollen lymph nodes around the neck, groin, and armpits. 
• Body rashes: Skin rashes might appear anywhere on your body when you have mono. Often, the rash might feel itchy or painful, causing extra discomfort while you’re sick. 
• Throat spots: Occasionally, you might notice discolored spots inside the back of your throat. Spots often accompany an existing sore throat. 

Usually, the symptoms above last for two to four weeks. Many people struggle to continue school or work during that period due to the severe discomfort from their symptoms. Occasionally, fatigue can last as long as six months after your initial onset. 

The older you are, the longer mono symptoms last. Younger children can beat the infection in a couple of weeks, while adults might feel sick for a few months. 

In more severe cases, you might experience symptoms beyond the ones above. Usually, when you contract mono from saliva or genital secretion, you shouldn’t suffer more than normal flu symptoms. People who got the infection through blood or organ transplants might have more serious complications, including:

• Swollen liver
• Enlarged spleen 
• Decreased appetite 
• Headaches   
• Upset stomach
• Strep throat

Since you know the answer to “Is mono an STD?” you must understand the contagion period. While mono doesn’t spread as easily as a common cold, it does remain contagious for far longer. Most doctors predict that you can continue spreading EBV for 6-18 months after getting sick.  

Management and Treatment of Mono

Unfortunately, we don’t have a vaccine or cure for mono. You can’t 100% prevent yourself from contracting it, nor can you rid the infection from your body once you get it. Instead, doctors focus on treatments that can help you alleviate mono symptoms and reduce the severity of any complications. 

The main treatment methods for a common case of mono include:

• Rest: Getting proper rest is the most effective way to help your body fight off the infection. Your symptoms will make you feel exhausted, so sleeping promotes healing. 
• Water: Hydration is key for recovering from any illness, including mono. You might accidentally become dehydrated from an upset stomach or sore throat, which will only worsen your condition. Drink the required daily water to help your body function as it should. 
• Pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and naproxen help reduce muscle aches, headaches, and inflammation. Antipyretics, like Acetaminophen, help bring down fevers, which can reduce the associated symptoms of chills, night sweats, and other discomforts. 
• Steroids: For more severe sore throat cases, doctors may prescribe corticosteroids (steroids) to bring down gland, throat, and tonsil swelling. 
• Time off activities: After getting sick, your doctor will likely advise you to take a few weeks off school, work, or other extracurricular activities. Staying home helps you reduce the spread and heal faster. 

Aside from the treatments above, many proven home remedies can help you reduce symptoms. If you have a sore throat, you can:

• Gargle warm salt water in your throat 
• Stick to warm soups and teas with honey and lemon
• Use throat drops or sprays to soothe and numb pain
• Eat cold and soft foods, like ice creams and popsicles, to reduce burning sensations and swelling

Sometimes patients assume antibiotics help them heal faster from mono, though you should avoid such drugs. Antibiotics fight off bacterial infections, not viral. If you take an antibiotic with mono, you increase your body’s resistance to the drug, and you might develop rashes. 

Usually, the treatments above should help you feel mostly normal within a month or two. If you develop severe conditions, your doctor will recommend more intensive treatments. For example, an enlarged spleen puts you at risk for a spleen rupture, which requires immediate surgery and can be fatal when not treated fast enough. 

Learning of your condition as soon as possible can prevent symptoms from developing into extremely uncomfortable ailments. We recommend regularly taking a rapid STD test to learn about potential problems, even if you don’t have symptoms. You can order online from Rapid STD Testing or visit a local clinic. 

Order STD Tests Online Today! 

Is mono an STD? Yes, though not always. 

Can you avoid contracting mono? No, but you can keep yourself healthy by consistently taking a 10-panel STD test to learn of any conditions before they develop into severe problems. 

Call Rapid STD Testing today at (866) 872-1888 to speak with our team for more information or visit a local clinic.