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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no specific therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mainly involves bed rest and adequate fluid intake.
Medications
- Treating secondary infections. Occasionally, a streptococcal (strep) infection accompanies the sore throat of mononucleosis. You may also develop a sinus infection or an infection of your tonsils (tonsillitis). If so, you may need treatment with antibiotics for these accompanying bacterial infections.
- Risk of rash with some medications. Some people with mononucleosis who take amoxicillin or amoxicillin and clavulanate (Augmentin) may develop a rash, but this doesn't mean that they're allergic to the antibiotic. If needed, other antibiotics that are less likely to cause a rash are available to treat infections that may accompany mononucleosis.
- Corticosteroids. To ease some of your symptoms, such as severe swelling of your throat and tonsils, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid medication such as prednisone.
References
- Epstein-Barr virus and infectious mononucleosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ebv.htm. Accessed April 27, 2010.
- Infectious mononucleosis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec14/ch189/ch189f.html. Accessed April 27, 2010.
- Fort GG, et al. Mononucleosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/198193047-5/0/2088/420.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00022-8--sc0150_8624. Accessed April 27, 2010.
- Katz BZ. Epstein-Barr virus infections (mononucleosis and lymphoproliferative disorders). In: Long SS, et al., eds. Long: Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/198193047-5/0/1679/211.html?tocnode=55243816&fromURL=211.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50210-1_3825. Accessed April 27, 2010.
- Ross SM. An integrative approach to rhinosinusitis in children. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2009;23:302.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 29, 2010.
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