Can you lift weights if you have mono?

Patients who have infectious mononucleosis should not lift weights or engage in any rigorous physical activity, according to Mayo Clinic. Although symptoms usually disappear within a few weeks, patients are still not completely healthy for two to three months.

A common complication of mononucleosis is an enlarged spleen. To avoid rupturing the spleen, Mayo Clinic recommends that contact sports, heavy lifting and general roughhousing should be avoided for a minimum of one month after symptoms disappear. A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency that causes severe internal bleeding. Mayo Clinic states that doctors recommend gradual exercise programs to help patients regain their strengths without injuring themselves. Doctors also recommend adopting a regular sleep schedule to reduce the risk of relapse.