Mononucleosis

Alternative Names

Mononucleosis

What is Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis or mono is a common viral disease characterizing by feeling of tiredness and weakness for weeks or even months. Mono disappears on its own, but you should have a lot of rest and good self-care to feel better.

Signs and symptoms

The most common symptoms of mono include a high fever, severe sore throat, swollen glands and tonsils, weakness and fatigue. Symptoms usually start 4 to 6 weeks after you were infected by the virus.

Mono can make the spleen to swell. If you have a severe pain in the upper left part of your belly, it means that your spleen has burst. you should be hospitalized at once.

Possible complications

One of the most common complications of mononucleosis is enlargement of the spleen. In rare cases, your spleen may rupture, causing sharp, sudden pain in the left side of your upper abdomen

It also can cause the problems with your liver such as hepatitis or jaundice.

What causes

It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is most common in adolescents and young adults. Older adults usually do not get mono, because they have immunity to the virus.

Mono can be transmitted through the contact with saliva, mucus from the nose and throat and sometimes tears. This virus is also known as "kissing disease", because it is spread through kissing.

In some cases, your symptoms will disappear for good, but you will always carry the virus that caused it. The virus may become active from time to time without causing any symptoms. When the virus is active, it means that your mono is contagious.

Prevention

If you are infected by mono, you can prevent spreading the virus to others by not kissing them and by not sharing food, dishes, glasses and utensils until several days after your fever has subsided and even longer if possible.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent mononucleosis. It is under the study.

Treatment

The treatment options for mono include the followings:

• Get plenty of rest. You may need bed rest which could keep you away from school or work for a little while.
• Gargle with salt water or use throat lozenges to soothe your sore throat.
• Take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to decrease fever and relieve a sore throat and headaches.
• Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting. Your spleen may be enlarged, and impact or straining could cause it to burst.
• In severe cases, medicines called corticosteroids are used to decrease swelling of the throat, tonsils or spleen.