Mono what should i eat

Sharing drinks, kissing and strained immune systems are things most college kids are all too familiar with, putting them at high risk for receiving the dreaded diagnosis. There are certain foods that will help strengthen your immune system and improve your symptoms when you have mono.

Here are your best food friends for the dark mono days:. Water, soup and juices will be your go-to items throughout this illness. Dehydration is common with fevers, and of course, fevers happen to be a prime symptom of mono. Liquids will be your right hand men in defeating the menacing mono. Plus, tea with lemon and honey is also key for soothing your inevitable sore throat.

Protein-filled foods are perfect for boosting your immune system because they keep your cells healthy and repair your weak body. The options for protein heavy foods are endless and include things like: chicken, fish, eggs, hummus and tofu. Nuts, seeds, fish and avocado all contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation. This means avocado toast on the reg. This can initially look similar to strep throat.

Swollen, tender glands lymph nodes in the neck, lasting up to one month after you are feeling well. Fatigue Headaches Diagnosis: If you have any symptoms and are concerned that you may have mono, you should visit a clinician. The clinician will perform a physical exam, including of your throat and glands.

Because mono symptoms are similar to those of other infections, the clinician will try to determine whether your symptoms are those of mono, strep throat or another viral infection.

The clinician may swab the back of your throat. If streptococcus strep is present, you may be treated with an antibiotic. Blood tests for mono measure antibodies to the virus and therefore testing is not usually positive until symptoms have been present for one week or more.

If streptococcus is not present and your symptoms continue for days, you should return to your clinician for possible further testing. Treatment: Like the common cold, mono is a viral infection with no cure.

You can follow these self-care measures to feel better. Gargle: To reduce throat pain, gargle with one teaspoon of salt or baking soda dissolved in a glass of very warm water. You can purchase non-prescription medications like Chloraseptic gargle or lozenges, or your clinician may write a prescription for gargles that reduce throat pain and make swallowing easier.

Take medication: For fever, sore throat, head and body aches, ibuprofen or naproxen Aleve are available without prescription. Follow directions on packaging. Avoid acetaminophen Tylenol because of possible liver inflammation that can be associated with mono.

In addition, you need to take special care of yourself during recovery. Taking too much can be harmful. You can also take OTC cold and flu medications that contain pain relievers, such as:. Throat gargles can help soothe a sore throat. Gargle with these home remedies several times a day:. Cool a fever with wet towel compresses, a cool bath, or a cold foot bath. Also try eating something cold, like ice cream or a popsicle. Stay home from work or school. Cancel your appointments. Resting helps your body recover and prevent any complications.

Not going out also helps prevent transmitting the virus to others. Eat healthy whole foods to help your immune system fight the mono virus. If you contract the mono virus, you may not have any symptoms at all for four to six weeks. Symptoms may last for only a few days to two to six weeks. Here are some common symptoms and their usual duration:. Mono may make you feel unwell for up to two months. Rare complications of mono, like an injured or ruptured spleen , can take up to three months to heal.

You may need other treatment for a ruptured spleen. Lower your risk for contracting mono and other viral illnesses with these tips:. You can get mono in more ways than just kissing someone. You may not be able to prevent getting this viral illness. You may not know you have it. Once you have symptoms, help your recovery and avoid transmitting mono to others by staying home. Rest and avoid strenuous activity to prevent spleen injuries and combat fatigue.

Enjoy low-key activities, like reading and watching movies, as you recover. Eat plenty of whole foods and stay hydrated. Treat symptoms with OTC cold and flu medications and pain-relieving drugs. It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks after exposure for mono symptoms to appear. So are you contagious during this time?

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