Infectious Mononucleosis
Introduction
Infectious mononucleosis, or "mono", is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus spreads through saliva, which is why it's sometimes called kissing disease. Mono occurs most often in 15 to 17-year-olds. However, you can get it at any age. Symptoms of mono include
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph glands
Infectious mononucleosis (mono), or glandular fever, is often called the kissing disease. The label is only partly true. The virus that causes this disease is transmitted through saliva, so kissing can spread the virus, but so can coughing, sneezing, or sharing a glass or food utensil. Chronic mononucleosis isn't as contagious as some other infections, such as the common cold.
The cause of mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus, although similar signs and symptoms are sometimes caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Full-blown mononucleosis complications is most common in adolescents and young adults. Young children usually have minimal symptoms, and the infection often goes unrecognized. In lesser developed countries, mononucleosis is more frequently acquired at a young age, so classic signs and symptoms of mononucleosis aren't as common as they are in developed nations.
Mononucleosis disease usually isn't very serious, although the virus remains in your body for life. Most people have been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus by the time they're 35 years old and have built up antibodies. They're immune and won't get mononucleosis again. Treatment mostly involves bed rest and getting adequate fluids.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of mononucleosis may include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Sore throat, perhaps a strep throat that doesn't get better with antibiotics
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits
- Swollen tonsils
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Loss of appetite
- Soft, swollen spleen
- Night sweats
The virus typically has an incubation period of four to six weeks, although in young children this period is shorter. Signs and symptoms such as fever and sore throat usually lessen within a couple of weeks, although fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes and a swollen spleen may last for a few weeks longer.
When to seek medical advice
If you've been feeling tired and weak; have had a persistent fever, headache, loss of appetite, rash and muscle aches; and have had swollen lymph nodes and tonsils — these are strong indications that you have mononucleosis. If rest and a healthy diet don't ease your symptoms within a week or two or if your symptoms recur, see your doctor.
Screening and diagnosis
Your doctor may suspect symptoms of mononucleosis based on your signs and symptoms and a physical examination.
If there's a need for additional confirmation, a Monospot test may be done to check your blood for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus. This screening test gives results within a day. But it may not detect the infection during the first week of the illness. A different antibody blood test requires a longer result time, but can detect the disease even within the first week of symptoms.
Your doctor may use other blood tests to look for an elevated number of white blood cells (lymphocytes) or abnormal-looking lymphocytes. These blood tests won't confirm mononucleosis, but they may suggest it as a possibility.
Treatment
There's no specific therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mainly involves bed rest and adequate fluid intake.
Occasionally, a streptococcal infection accompanies the sore throat of mononucleosis. You may also develop a sinus infection or an infection of your tonsils (tonsillitis). If so, you may need treatment with antibiotics for these accompanying bacterial infections.
Some people with mononucleosis who take ampicillin (Principen), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), or amoxicillin and clavulanate (Augmentin) antibiotics may develop a rash, but this doesn't mean that they're allergic to the antibiotic. If needed, other antibiotics that are less likely to cause a rash are available to treat infections that may accompany chronic mononucleosis.
To ease some of your symptoms, such as swelling of your throat and tonsils, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid medication such as prednisone.
Information Obtained From National Institute Of Health