Your reaction is the one I usually get when I tell them their child has mono. Though most of us associate mono with teens and adults, it can infect children of all ages, in fact, in poorer countries the average age of infection is two to four years of age. In North America, most cases occur in adolescents and early adulthood, but we can see mono at all ages. The symptoms and signs of mono are quite specific, but in younger children it can look like a cold. Often, we do not make an immediate diagnosis because the symptoms mimic those of another viral infection.
Diagnosis is confirmed by a specific blood test.
The typical symptoms of mono include a period of a week or two of fever, feeling tired, and a very sore throat. Other typical signs of mono are enlarged glands in the neck region, a rash all over the body, and, less frequently, swelling around the eyes. One of the most common complications of mono is not being able to swallow due to the very sore throat. Obviously, we recommend drinking as much fluid as possible, but avoiding fruit juices as these may hurt the already sore throat. As a matter of fact, milk shakes are a great idea in children with a very sore throat.