Infectious
Mononucleosis: The Kissing Disease
Infectious mononucleosis,
also known as “mono,” is caused by the Epstein-Bar virus
(EPV). You may remember kids in high school calling infectious mononucleosis
the “kissing disease” because it spreads through saliva,
but in addition to kissing, there are many other ways to spread
the mono virus such as coughing, sneezing, or sharing cups and eating
utensils.
Most people who
become ill with infectious mononucleosis are adolescents and young
adults between the ages of 10 and 24. Children can become sick with
infectious mononucleosis as well, but their symptoms are typically
milder. At any age, infectious mononucleosis symptoms may be initially
confused with influenza
symptoms. The symptoms of infectious mononucleosis, which usually
show up 4-6 weeks after someone is exposed to the virus, are as
follows:
- Fever, usually from 100-104
degrees F
- Chills
- Severe sore throat with white
patches
- Headaches
- Swollen tonsils and lymph
nodes
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling of the spleen (causing
pain in the upper left abdomen)
- Skin rash
A blood test can
tell you with certainty if you have infectious mononucleosis. Similar
to a common cold or flu virus, there are no medications to cure
mono. The best treatment for infectious mononucleosis is similar
to at-home cold and flu remedies
... self-care such as getting plenty of bed rest, staying away from
school or work, gargling with salt water, drinking lots of fluids,
and taking pain relievers for headaches. (Do not, however, give
aspirin to anyone under the age of 20, as this may cause Reye’s
Syndrome.) In serious cases of infectious mononucleosis, the spleen
can swell to the point that emergency surgery is required, so patients
are advised to be aware of abdominal pain if they have infectious
mononucleosis. It is also recommended that people with infectious
mononucleosis stay away from heavy lifting and sports, as these
activities may cause an enlarged spleen to burst.
With proper self
care, the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis should get better
in one to two months. Once you are exposed to the virus that causes
infectious mononucleosis, it stays in your body for life. By the
age of 35, most people have been exposed to the mono virus and have
built up antibodies to defend against it. If an older adult does
come down with infectious mononucleosis, the symptoms are typically
more severe and last longer.
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