Infectious Mononucleosis

How Chinese medicine differentiates infectious mononucleosis into the four patterns described for it, and the points for each. Supportive reading only. Distinct from this site's Tonsillitis and Swollen Lymph Nodes pages. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Infectious mononucleosis needs a medical diagnosis and monitoring (it can cause a swollen spleen, so strenuous activity should be avoided while confirmed). Acupuncture is at most a supportive adjunct for symptoms and recovery.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
L.I.-4	Expels exterior Wind and releases the Exterior. Promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi, regulates the Defensive Qi and sweating. Stops pain.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen. Tonifies Qi and Blood. Tonifies the Original Qi.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness. Promotes the function of the Liver and the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Wind-Heat Invading the Lungs View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: High fever with mild chills; severe burning sore throat with red tonsils; cough with thick yellow phlegm; headache; slight sweating; restlessness.

Tongue: Red tip, thin yellow coat. Pulse: Floating and rapid.

Treatment principle: Releases the Exterior, clears Heat and resolves toxin.

L.I.-4 ↓ LU-7 ↓ BL-13 ↓

Note: no moxa.

2. Phlegm-Heat

Clinical manifestations: Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin; thick, sticky, yellow phlegm; chest fullness; restlessness; irritability; thirst for cold drinks.

Tongue: Red, swollen, thick yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.

Treatment principle: Clears Heat-toxin, resolves Phlegm and reduces nodule swelling.

ST-40 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓

Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no standalone Phlegm-Heat-with-nodules slide — no pattern link is given here.

3. Liver and Gall Bladder Damp-Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Jaundice; bitter taste; rib pain and distension, especially right-sided; abdominal bloating; dark, scanty urine; nausea; aversion to greasy food.

Tongue: Red with red sides, thick yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Wiry, slippery, rapid.

Treatment principle: Drains Dampness, clears Heat, promotes bile flow and resolves jaundice.

SP-9 ↓ BL-18 ↓ BL-19 ↓

Note: no moxa. Medical review needed if jaundice appears. Linked to this site's own Damp-Heat-in-the-Gall-Bladder-and-Liver slide.

4. Qi and Yin Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: Lingering low-grade afternoon or evening fever; profound fatigue persisting after the acute illness; dry mouth and throat; night sweats; warm palms and soles.

Tongue: Red with little or no coat, possibly cracked. Pulse: Fine, weak, possibly rapid.

Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi and Yin, clears residual Empty-Heat and generates fluids.

KI-3 ↑ ST-36 ↑ KI-10 ↑

Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs). No combined Qi-and-Yin-deficiency slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.

Related conditions

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