Mono Season: The Enlarged Spleen Threat Facing Student Athletes

Mononucleosis poses a specific threat to student athletes who continue playing sports while their spleens remain enlarged.

The condition, commonly referred to as mono, causes the spleen to expand. This anatomical change makes the organ more vulnerable to damage during physical exertion. MedStar Health physician Alicia Bazzano identified this mechanism as the primary concern for teenagers and college students navigating the start of the school year.

As colder weather sets in, adolescents face a cluster of common illnesses including strep throat, skin infections, and the flu. Bazzano noted that while younger children fall ill frequently, older students encounter distinct risks due to social behaviors like sharing drinks and gathering in confined spaces.

Bazzano stated that mono symptoms include fatigue, fever, and sore throat. She emphasized that patients must avoid sports to prevent spleen injury. "They should not play sports because it can cause injuries to the spleen," she said. The doctor also cautioned that influenza and COVID-19 require several days of rest at home, while meningitis remains a serious condition that should not be dismissed.

The warning arrives as the respiratory season begins. Students returning to classrooms and dormitories are at elevated risk for these infections. Medical guidance from MedStar Health focuses on rest and avoidance of contact activities to mitigate the physical toll of the disease.

Bazzano advised treating these illnesses with the same seriousness regardless of age. The primary goal is to prevent complications that arise from overexertion while the body fights the viral infection.