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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