The rash is usually non-itchy.
Different people may experience different manifestations of a mono rash, includinghivesorpetechiae(purplish blood spots).
The diagnosis may be confirmed with an antibody blood test.
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A rash can also sometimes occur in response toantibioticsused to treat complications of mono, particularlyAmoxil (amoxicillin).
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What Is Infectious Mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis, also called mono or the kissing disease, is resulting from theEpstein-Barr virus (EBV).
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Younger children, in particular, tend to have few, if any, mono symptoms.
While potentially debilitating, mono is rarely life-threatening.
How Common Is a Mono Rash?
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A skin rash is a less common manifestation of infectious mononucleosis.
Studies suggest that between 4.2% and 13% of people who get mono will develop a rash.
Infections that cause a maculopapular rash includerubellaandscarlet fever.
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It is also common with drug rashes.
The rash outbreak will typically other symptoms of mono by as much as 15 days.
The rash is typically non-itchy and will usually be faint.
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Most cases resolve on their own within a week.
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Urticaria (Hives)
Urticaria, also known as hives, can sometimes occur with mono.
Hives can affect any part of the body but are less common on the face.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
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Petechiae
Petechiaeare small red or purple spots about the size of a pinpoint.
They develop when tinycapillariesbeneath the skin burst, causing tiny pools of blood that look like spots.
Petechiae can occur with many infectious diseases, includingCOVID-19and infectious mononucleosis.
Petechiae are usually flat.
When you press on them, they will not blanch (whiten).
Besides the characteristic spots, petechiae does not cause any other skin symptoms.
As a viral infection, EBV does not respond to antibiotic drugs used to treat bacterial infections.
If used, antibiotics can cause a hypersensitivity reaction that leads to a spontaneous and generalized outbreak of rash.
The reaction is strongest with the antibiotic Amoxil (amoxicillin) but can occur with anybeta-lactam antibiotic, includingpenicillinsandcephalosporins.
Antibiotics almost always cause a rash in children with mono.
In other cases, antibiotics are used when strep throat is asecondary infectionof mono.
Left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to shock, coma, and death.
A mono rash is typically generalized and non-itchy with reddened areas of skin covered with tiny bumps.
Less commonly, EBV can trigger an immune response that leads to hives or tiny blood spots called petechiae.
Rashes are very common in children with mono who take antibiotics, especially amoxicillin.
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