Infectious Diseases Mononucleosis How Long Fatigue Lasts in Infectious Mononucleosis By Brandon Peters, MD Brandon Peters, MD Facebook Twitter Brandon Peters, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 22, 2021 Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD LinkedIn Chris Vincent, MD, is a licensed physician, surgeon, and board-certified doctor of family medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Infectious mononucleosis (or mono) is a common contagious disease that may result in symptoms of profound fatigue or tiredness. If your fatigue doesn't go away, you might wonder if it has another cause, or whether you have chronic fatigue syndrome. Mono may be the sole cause or a contributor of persistent fatigue. But if you're not getting better, your healthcare provider may also want to consider sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Paul Bradbury / Getty Images Mononucleosis Causes Mononucleosis is not a sleep disorder but it can cause fatigue that's just as debilitating. Mono is sometimes called the "kissing disease" due to its easy transmission via saliva, which means a lot of people catch it through a kiss or by personal contact, as well as sharing food and dishes. The condition is characterized by: Fever Infection of the tonsils or throat Swelling of lymph nodes Most cases of mono are caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is quite common, eventually infecting between 90% and 95% of all adults. However, most people experience no symptoms of EBV. This virus is spread by personal contact. Mono can also be caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Mono infections are very common among teenagers and young adults, especially those living in close quarters, like in dormitories on college campuses. When Fatigue Doesn't Improve For most people, the symptoms of fatigue associated with mono will gradually resolve over a period of two weeks to a few months. In a minority of people, though, fatigue may still be present six months after the initial infection. In those cases, further evaluation may be necessary. If fatigue persists beyond six months, your healthcare provider may start to consider a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, as EBV is theorized to be a possible cause of this disease. Though the relationship isn't fully understood, it may represent long-standing impacts of the initial infection. It may also be important to look at sleep disorders that can cause sleepiness and fatigue, including obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia. These common conditions often contribute to unrestful sleep. Because they require different treatment, they shouldn't be overlooked as having a possible role in ongoing symptoms. Depending on your specific symptoms, your healthcare provider may also test you for anemia and thyroid dysfunction. Depression and anxiety are also common causes of fatigue. Mononucleosis Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. A Word From Verywell If you are struggling with debilitating fatigue or tiredness, talk to your healthcare provider and see what tests they recommend. Because fatigue has numerous possible causes, the diagnostic process can be long and frustrating. Remember that the end goal is identifying the cause of your fatigue so you can get the right treatment and get your life back on track. That's worth the wait. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epstein-Barr virus and infectious mononucleosis. Australian Academy of Science. Kissing the Epstein-Barr virus goodbye? ScienceDaily. Epstein-Barr: scientists decode secrets of a very common virus that can cause cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: possible causes. Additional Reading Macsween KF, Higgins CD, McAulay KA, et al. Infectious mononucleosis in university students in the United Kingdom: evaluation of the clinical features and consequences of the disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2010;50(5):699-706. doi:10.1086/650456 By Brandon Peters, MD Brandon Peters, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit