I had mono in college and stayed home for a week or so. Yeah, it was miserable. I came back to school that semester and got caught up, though. Back then, there wasn't much the docs could do except tell my folks to let me rest, keep me hydrated, and sip chicken soup and 7-Up, pretty much. If I remember right. Which I might not.
In terms of all the health experiences in my life that I'd rather not go through again, it probably ranks third behind the heart attack and the near-broken leg, but not all that far behind.