How do you treat mono symptoms?
So a common treatment plan for mono is rest with a gradual return to normal activity. The goal is to ease your symptoms and treat any complications that happen. In addition to rest, your doctor may prescribe ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the fever, sore throat, and other discomforts of the illness.Nov 4, 2021
What medicine helps mononucleosis?
Recommendations to help treat the symptoms of mono are as follows:Use over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) to help with fever, sore throat, aches and pains.Over-the-counter cold medications may help with cold-like symptoms.More items...
What is the fastest way to get rid of mono?
Home remediesStay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, fruit juice, herbal tea, soup, and broth. ... Over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Use OTC pain relievers to help bring down a fever and ease headaches and muscle aches. ... Throat gargles. ... Cool down a fever. ... Rest. ... Boost your immune system. ... Supplements.Aug 13, 2019
How do you treat mono naturally?
Research also suggests that a combination of homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may effectively improve symptoms of mononucleosis. The most common homeopathic remedies used with TCM include Lycopodium , Silicea , Phosphorous , Sulphur , Mercurius , Nux vomica , Sepia , and Pulsatilla .Jan 1, 2017
Does prednisone help with mono?
Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and feeling tired. These symptoms usually last for two to three weeks, but can last for months. Symptom relief and rest are common treatments. Doctors commonly use prednisone, a steroid, to reduce the symptoms of sore throat or enlarged tonsils.Nov 8, 2015
Is Tylenol or Advil better for mono?
The most important thing you can do when you have mono is get plenty of rest and drink enough liquids. You may want to take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (some brand names: Advil, Motrin, Nuprin). Do not give aspirin to children with mono.Oct 1, 2004
What happens if mono is left untreated?
Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it spreads easily through bodily fluids like saliva. For most people, mono isn't serious, and it improves without treatment. Still, extreme fatigue, body aches and other symptoms can interfere with school, work and daily life.Aug 3, 2020
How do you get rid of chronic mono?
There is no cure or medication that can treat mono. The treatment used to help speed up recovery often centers around relieving symptoms for those who have the infection so that they can rest comfortably while they get better.
What are the stages of mono?
Mono has three stages: a prodrome, an acute stage, and a convelescent (recovery) stage.Nov 16, 2021
What causes mono to flare up?
What causes mono flare ups? Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes mono infections and remains in your body for your whole life. EBV is actually a member of the herpes virus family — EBV is also called human herpesvirus 4.
How is mono treated in adults?
There's no specific therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mainly involves taking care of yourself, such as getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids.Dec 22, 2020
What doctor treats chronic Epstein-Barr virus?
You may be treated by a primary care provider (PCP), such as a family practitioner, an internist, or a child's pediatrician, for Epstein-Barr virus. If the symptoms of EBV become chronic, you may be referred to an infectious-disease specialist or an immunologist (also called an allergist/immunologist).
How Common Is Mononucleosis?
The Epstein-Barr virus is a very common virus. About 85% to 90% of American adults have developed antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus by the time...
How Is Mononucleosis Spread?
Mononucleosis is usually acquired by contact with the saliva or mucus of a person who is infected with or is carrying the virus. (Mononucleosis is...
What Are The Symptoms of Mononucleosis?
The most common symptoms of mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands in the neck, under the arms, and in the groin area. Othe...
Are There Any Symptoms of Mononucleosis That Require Medical Attention?
If you have an unusually painful or persistent sore throat or have difficulty breathing or swallowing because your tonsils are swollen, see a healt...
What is the best treatment for mononucleosis?
Supportive care—rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medications —is the standard treatment for mononucleosis. There are no drugs that fight off the virus itself. Complications such as airway obstruction or ruptured spleen may require hospitalization.
What is the cause of mononucleosis?
Several different viruses cause mononucleosis, but nine out of 10 cases are caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a type of herpesvirus. Other cases are caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), but rubella, adenovirus, hepatitis A, and others are also behind some infections. The virus is primarily spread through saliva.
How to tell if you have mono?
Other possible mono symptoms include: 1 Malaise (feeling bad) 2 Tiredness 3 Headache 4 Body aches 5 Weakness 6 Enlarged spleen or liver 7 Rash 8 Brown or red spots on the upper part of the mouth (the palate)
Why do I have difficulty breathing?
About one in twenty people will experience difficulty breathing because of airway obstruction, mostly young children. When infectious mononucleosis severely compromises breathing, corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for reducing swelling in the throat and airways.
How does the virus spread?
The virus is primarily spread through saliva. Sharing plates, glasses, food, eating utensils, or toothbrushes are common ways to catch the virus, but kissing is the most common route, which is why it’s often called the “kissing disease.”. Sneezing and coughing can also spread the virus.
What test is used to test for Epstein-Barr?
Most doctors will use the Monospot test (heterophile antibody test) as a quick way to test for the Epstein-Barr virus.
How long does it take for a virus to show symptoms?
About six weeks after exposure to the virus, the infection causes symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and fatigue that typically last for two to four weeks but may hold on for as long as six months. However, young children rarely show symptoms and about one in ten young adults will have no symptoms at all.
How common is mono?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that causes mono is extremely common. Around 90% of Americans are infected with it by age 35. Not everyone who has the virus develops mono symptoms — some people only carry the virus.
How long does mono last?
Symptoms of mono vary, and they can be mild or severe. They tend to come on gradually. If you get sick with mono, it will probably happen four to six weeks after you come in contact with EBV. These symptoms may last for four weeks or longer: Enlarged spleen or liver. Extreme fatigue.
What is the contagious disease of the body?
Mononucleosis. Mononucleosis (mono) is a contagious infection caused by a herpes virus called Epstein-Barr. Other viruses can also cause mono. The infection is common among teenagers and young adults. People with mono experience extreme fatigue, fever and body aches. Treatments can ease symptoms until the illness goes away on its own.
What is the kissing disease?
Mononucleosis is an illness that commonly affects teenagers and young adults, but can affect children as well. Viruses, most commonly Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and certain infections cause the illness. Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it spreads easily through bodily fluids like saliva. For most people, mono isn’t serious, and ...
Why is mono called the kissing disease?
Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it spreads easily through bodily fluids like saliva. For most people, mono isn’t serious, and it improves without treatment. Still, extreme fatigue, body aches and other symptoms can interfere with school, work and daily life.
What is the best medicine for enlarged spleen?
These drugs include ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®). Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) also works. Sore throat soothers: You can gargle with salt water and use throat lozenges. Avoiding sports: Physical activity can put too much pressure on an enlarged spleen, increasing the risk of rupture.
When do people get EBV?
There are often two peaks when people acquire EBV: early school age children and again around adolescence/young adulthood. Young children are often asymptomatic, whereas teenagers and people in their 20s are most likely to get mono.
Steps to keep the virus from spreading
Infection easily spreads through contact with infected individuals and the utensils they use, so once you know that someone is a mono carrier contact needs to be minimized. Some might imagine that mononucleosis spreads through the air and therefore carriers need to be isolated. Medical science debunks this idea.
Get plenty of rest
One of the well-known mono symptoms is the way the virus drains infected people of energy. In many cases, someone with mono finds it very hard to get up from the bed. Others might mistake this for laziness or depression.
Drink a healthy amount of fluids
The message about the importance of drinking sufficient liquids applies to everyone, and especially people who live in hot climates. For anyone with the mono virus, this warning has an additional significance. The smooth functioning of a healthy body requires a person to stay well hydrated.
Continue to take things easy even after mono goes
Enlargement of the spleen is a symptom of mono that needs to be taken into account even after the virus seems to have gone. Anyone who has had mono must take care to avoid strenuous physical activities for a couple of months after their recovery.
Medicines bring relief but no cure
Since mono often causes very painful sore throats and fevers, patients hope to find some relief in medications. So far, nobody has found a drug that cures mono, but various medicines help patients deal with some of its most severe symptoms. Doctors prescribe painkillers and drugs to reduce the fever. Sometimes they also give patients antibiotics.
Strengthen the immune system through dietary changes
Changes in meal plans can help improve resistance to mono. It makes good sense to increase the number of green vegetables eaten, for example, spinach. These foodstuffs contain valuable antioxidants that help the body fight off the attacks of the free radical compounds that weaken it.
Taking steroids
Sometimes doctors prescribe corticosteroid medicines to a patient with mono. Although this is not one of the standard treatment approaches, they believe it is appropriate in very specific situations. For example, if the patient has very badly swollen tonsils or they experience problems breathing.
What is the most common cause of mononucleosis?
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can also cause this disease. It is common among teenagers and young adults, especially college students. At least one out of four teenagers and young adults who get infected with EBV will develop infectious mononucleosis.
How long does it take for mononucleosis to show?
Typical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis usually appear four to six weeks after you get infected with EBV. Symptoms may develop slowly and may not all occur at the same time.
How does EBV spread?
Typically, these viruses spread most commonly through bodily fluids, especially saliva . However, these viruses can also spread through blood and semen during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantations.
Can you take penicillin for mononucleosis?
If you have infectious mononucleosis, you should not take penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin or amoxicillin. Based on the severity of the symptoms, a healthcare provider may recommend treatment of specific organ systems affected by infectious mononucleosis.
Can you test for mononucleosis?
Laboratory tests are not usually needed to diagnose infectious mononucleosis. However, specific laboratory tests may be needed to identify the cause of illness in people who do not have a typical case of infectious mononucleosis. The blood work of patients who have infectious mononucleosis due to EBV infection may show—.
Is Epstein-Barr a contagious disease?
About Infectious Mononucleosis. Infectious mononucleosis, also called “mono,” is a contagious disease. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can also cause this disease. It is common among teenagers and young adults, especially college students.
What is the best treatment for IM?
Recommended therapy for management of IM has not changed much over the years. Pharmacologic options remain limited and mostly include symptomatic treatment or supportive care. Fever, myalgias, and throat discomfort can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. 2,8 Throat lozenges and sprays containing benzocaine or phenol along with prescription lidocaine 2% can be used for sore throat. 1,4
How many people have EBV?
Over 95% of adults worldwide have been infected with EBV. 1 EBV infection is rare during the first year of life, which could be due to passive immunity from mother to child. The age of initial infection varies depending upon cultural and socioeconomic upbringing. The earlier in life EBV infection occurs, the milder the symptoms are. Infection occurring in early childhood is often asymptomatic or causes such insignificant illness that it is rarely ever identified as EBV. In contrast, EBV infection occurring in adolescence or adulthood produces symptomatic IM illness. 1-3
What is IM in medical terms?
ABSTRACT: Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a viral infection with symptoms consisting of fever, lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, and fatigue. Most cases of symptomatic IM occur between the ages of 15 and 24 years. IM is generally a self-limiting disease with symptoms resolving in a few weeks.
What are the complications of IM?
These complications may include hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. 2 These complications are generally characterized as mild due to the slight dip in laboratory values, which typically return to normal within a month, whereas severe complications, such as aplastic anemia requiring bone marrow transplantation, are rare. 2 Neurologic complications occur in 1% to 5% of cases and can include Guillain-Barré syndrome, facial-nerve palsy, meningoencephalitis, aseptic meningitis, transverse myelitis, peripheral neuritis, cerebellitis, and optic neuritis. 2 Other rare, but potentially life-threatening complications include upper airway obstruction and X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP). Males with XLP syndrome have an inability to mount an immune response to EBV because of an X-chromosome mutation, which results in very severe or fatal IM. 2,8 This disorder can be diagnosed prenatally, and early bone marrow transplantation is an option to correct the disease. 2
How long does EBV stay in your system?
Virus can be shed in salivary secretions from patients with IM for many weeks. The median duration of virus shedding is 32 weeks after diagnosis, although some studies show that the EBV virus could be shed for decades. 6,7
Can IM be diagnosed with fever?
Patients with IM commonly complain of sore throat and fatigue. These symptoms, along with fever and lymphadenopathy , often are the basis for diagnosis alone; however, Hoagland’s criteria may be commonly used to help diagnose IM. 2,8,9 These criteria cite a 50% lymphocyte count with at least 10% atypical lymphocytes in the presence of fever, pharyngitis, and ade nopathy with a positive serologic test as being diagnostic for IM. 9
How long does fatigue last?
Persistent fatigue lasting for 6 months or longer with functional impairment can also occur. 2 Female gender and greater fatigue severity at symptom onset demonstrate a higher risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
How do you know if you have mono?
The most common symptoms of mono, typically present four to six weeks after you get infected, include: 1 rash 2 sore throat 3 head and body aches 4 swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits 5 extreme fatigue 6 fever 7 swollen liver or spleen or both
Who is Dean Mitchell?
Dr. Dean Mitchell, M.D. is a Board Certified Allergist and Immunologist based out of NYC. He graduated from the Sackler School of Medicine and completed training at the Robert Cooke Allergy Institute in New York City. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and the author of Dr. Dean Mitchell’s Allergy and Asthma Solution: The Ultimate Program for Reversing Your Symptoms One Drop at a Time . Dr. Dean Mitchell, M.D. has also been featured in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Fitness Magazine, Dr. Oz and News NY 1. Dr. Mitchell also hosts the podcast The Smartest Doctor in the Room – a combination of a lively, personal, and in-depth interview with top healthcare specialists.
Can mono cause a sore throat?
Unlike the youngsters, adults with Mono often don’t have the same presenting symptoms of an acute, severe sore throat and swollen lymph glands in the neck. Adults with Mono can experience chronic stomach pain and fatigue of insidious onset. The adult form of mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus is different from ...
Did Roger Federer have mono?
Roger Federer, the world champion tennis star played for months on the tennis tour not knowing he had Mono. The main complaint he endured was persistent stomach pain. Fortunately, he was diagnosed and gave his body some extra time to recover. Robin Soderling, a Swedish top-ranked tennis player wasn’t as fortunate.
Is mono a good thing?
Mono in Adults . Now, most adults, whether they ever developed full-blown Mononucleosis or never had any known symptoms, typically have protective antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus. This is a good thing because if you have antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus you should be immune to being infected and becoming sick.
How to get rid of mono?
It’s very important to rest and relax if you have mono. Stay home from work or school. Cancel your appointments. Resting helps your body recover and prevent any complications. Not going out also helps prevent transmitting the virus to others.
How do you get mono?
Mono ( mononucleosis) is also called infectious mononucleosis. This disease is sometimes referred to as the “kissing disease” because you can get it through saliva. You can also contract mono by sharing drinking glasses , eating utensils, and through sneezes and coughs. Some kinds of mono are also transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids.
What are the symptoms of mono?
Treating symptoms. Treatment usually involves treating symptoms like fever or a sore throat. Mono can cause a person to be prone to secondary bacterial infections. In this case, antibiotics can treat a bacterial: sinus infection. strep infection. tonsil infection.
What causes a spleen to burst?
Working out, lifting something heavy, or other strenuous activity can cause the spleen to burst. Wait until you’ve fully recovered from mono before getting back to your normal activities. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your left, upper side. It may a sign of a ruptured spleen.
How to get rid of a sore throat?
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, fruit juice, herbal tea, soup, and broth. Fluids help bring down a fever and soothe a sore throat. Drink as much as you can to raise your energy levels and prevent dehydration.
Can mono cause a spleen to get bigger?
Along with other symptoms, mono can cause the spleen to get bigger. The spleen is an organ in your abdomen that stores and filters blood. Almost half of people with a mono infection have an enlarged spleen.
What is the best medicine to help with a fever?
These medications won’t get rid of the virus, but they can help make you more comfortable: aspirin (but don’t give it to children and teens) acetaminophen (Tylenol) ibuprofen (Advil)
Overview
- Mononucleosis, also known as \"mono,\" is an infectious disease that is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (a herpes virus). Other viruses can also cause mononucleosis. Mononucleosis is not considered a serious illness, but its symptoms may be severe enough to prevent a person from engaging in normal activities for several weeks. The classic symptoms of this illness tend t…
- Mononucleosis, often called \"Mono\", is a usually mild self-limiting acute viral infection and, in most cases, does not deserve its bad reputation. While mono is not usually considered a serious illness, it may have serious complications. Usually (85% of the time) caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), it usually runs its course quickly and rarely produces any serious complications. The…
Treatment
- Healthcare providers typically diagnose infectious mononucleosis based on symptoms.Laboratory tests are not usually needed to diagnose infectious mononucleosis. However, specific laboratory tests may be needed to identify the cause of illness in people who do not have a typical case of infectious mononucleosis.The blood work of patients who have infecti…
- Recommended therapy for management of IM has not changedmuch over the years. Pharmacologic options remain limited and mostlyinclude symptomatic treatment or supportive care. Fever, myalgias, andthroat discomfort can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen.2,8 Throat lozenges and sprays containing benz…
- Mono, like many viral illnesses, just needs to run its course and it usually resolves without treatment. Antiviral drugs are not effective for treating mono. There's some evidence these medications prolong mono infection. Treatment for mono is supportive and focuses on symptom relief. Aches, pains, fever, and headache can be treated with acetaminophen. Plenty of rest, slee…
- Much of the treatment for mononucleosis is aimed at making your child more comfortable until the infection goes away on its own. For example 1. Some pediatricians may recommend giving your youngster acetaminophen to reduce the fever and ease pain. 2. Sore throats can be treated by gargling with warm water and salt. 3. Bed rest can be important for a child feeling fatigued. B…
Signs And Symptoms
- The most common symptoms of mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands in the neck, under the arms, and in the groin area. Other symptoms include the following: In addition to these symptoms, the spleen (an abdominal organ that stores and filters blood) may become enlarged. About half of those who have mononucleosis have enlargement of the splee…
- Young children infected with EBV generally areasymptomatic or have such mild disease that symptoms are not recognized.Older children, teens, and young adults are more likely to develop thesymptomatic clinical signs of IM. Once infected, some patients mayexperience a prodromal period of symptoms where they may experienceheadache, anorexia, and fatigue for 1 to 2 week…
- Signs and symptoms of mononucleosis may include: 1. Fatigue 2. Sore throat, perhaps misdiagnosed as strep throat, that doesn't get better after treatment with antibiotics 3. Fever 4. Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits 5. Swollen tonsils 6. Headache 7. Skin rash 8. Soft, swollen spleenThe virus has an incubation period of approximately four to six weeks, although i…
Diagnosis
- If you have an unusually painful or persistent sore throat or have difficulty breathing or swallowing because your tonsils are swollen, see a healthcare professional. Your doctor may perform a throat culture to see if you have a streptococcus infection (strep throat), which is not uncommon when you have mononucleosis, and which can be treated with antibiotics. You can also develop airwa…
- Patients with IM commonly complain of sore throat andfatigue. These symptoms, along with fever and lymphadenopathy, often arethe basis for diagnosis alone; however, Hoagland’s criteria may becommonly used to help diagnose IM.2,8,9 These criteria cite a50% lymphocyte count with at least 10% atypical lymphocytes in thepresence of fever, pharyngitis, and adenopathy with a po…
- 1. Exudative pharyngitis is commonly confused with group A streptococcal pharyngitis. In one study of adolescent and adult patients presenting with sore throat, the presence of posterior cervical, inguinal or axillary adenopathy, palatine petechiae, splenomegaly, or atypical lymphocytosis was associated with an increased likelihood of mononucleosis. 2. Bilateral perior…
- Usually a blood test is taken, which detects characteristic atypical lymphocytes (white blood cells). A positive 'monospot' screening test may be requested, as there are several other viral infections that may cause similar symptoms in which atypical lymphocytes are detected. Liver function is usually checked. Other tests will depend on what organs are affected by the infection…
Cause
- Mononucleosis is usually acquired by contact with the saliva or mucus of a person who is infected with or is carrying the virus. (Mononucleosis is also known as the \"kissing disease,\" because it can be acquired through kissing.) Occasionally, it can be spread by coughing or sneezing, or when an infected person shares food or tableware with another person.
- The most common cause of mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus, but other viruses can also cause similar symptoms.Although the symptoms of mononucleosis are uncomfortable, the infection resolves on its own without long-term effects. Most adults have been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus and have built up antibodies. Therefore, they're immune and won't get mononu…
- Infectious mononucleosis is also known as glandular fever. It typically affects young adults aged 15 to 25 years. Infectious mononucleosis is caused by human herpes virus type 4, more often known as EpsteinBarr virus (EBV). This virus is passed from person to person by saliva such as sharing a glass or kissing. The incubation period from contact until symptoms is 1 to 2 months.
- The vast majority of cases of infectious mononucleosis, more than 90%, are caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is in the herpesvirus family. The virus was discovered by professor Sir Anthony Epstein and Yvonne M. Barr in England. The virus was named \"mononucleosis\" because it's associated with an increase in certain white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bloodstrea…
Complications
- For the majority of patients, IM runs a self-limitingcourse and recovery occurs without sequelae, although complications canoccur.8 Hematologic complications are the most common,occurring in 25% to 50% of all cases of IM. These complications mayinclude hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenicpurpura, and disseminated intravascular coagu…
- 1. Extreme tonsillar enlargement may result in upper airway obstruction. 2. Myocarditis and cardiac conduction abnormalities are rare complications. 3. Splenic rupture is rare but potentially lethal. Splenectomy increases susceptibility to various infections. 4. Haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia. 5. Acute interstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritis. 6. Neurological, including o…
- Although spontaneous splenic rupture is a rare complication and it's estimated to occur in 0.1 to 0.5 percent of mononucleosis cases, it is still a serious concern, according to a 2007 article in the journal Pediatrics. The spleen is vulnerable to ruptures within the first three to four weeks of symptoms, independent of spleen size, according to a 2008 article written for the American Med…
Prevention
- Mononucleosis is spread through saliva. If you're infected, you can help 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.The Epstein-Barr virus may persist in your saliva for months after the infection. No vaccine exists to prevent mononucl…
- When to share and when not to share? Your child should not share drinking glasses, water bottles, or eating utensils, which can carry infected saliva.
- This disease is most contagious during its acute stage. This is when the affected person still has a fever.Someone with mononucleosis does not need to be kept isolated from others. However, many doctors recommend that the patient avoid kissing others while he or she is feeling ill. This helps to help prevent the spread of the infection. Some authorities also advise avoiding sharing f…
- Young adults are unlikely to know whether or not they have been infected by EBV as a child. You could be already immune to mono or you could still be at risk for catching it. There is no vaccine and antibody screens are not done. It is difficult to prevent mono from spreading, but you can take appropriate care if you or another person has mono (or is recovering from it). It's important to un…
Epidemiology
- The Epstein-Barr virus is a very common virus. About 85% to 90% of American adults have developed antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus by the time they are 40 years old, which means that they have been infected with the virus at some point in their lives. Most individuals are infected with this virus early in life (before the adolescent years), and most of these children have no or v…
- Over 95% of adults worldwide have been infected with EBV.1EBV infection is rare during the first year of life, which could be dueto passive immunity from mother to child. The age of initial infectionvaries depending upon cultural and socioeconomic upbringing. The earlierin life EBV infection occurs, the milder the symptoms are. Infectionoccurring in early childhood is often asy…
- 1. Clinical infection is most common in populations with many young adults, such as active-duty military personnel and college students. 2. The incidence of IM shows no consistent seasonal peak. 3. The incubation period is four to eight weeks.
- It's estimated up to 95% of adults in the U.S. have evidence of Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in their blood by the time they are 35 to 49 years old. The presence of antibodies means a person has been infected in the past. EBV is the most common cause of infectious mono although there are other illnesses that produce similar symptoms.
Prognosis
- 1. Usually asymptomatic or of short duration and self-limiting. 2. Fatigue and myalgia may persist for several, or even many, months after the acute infection has resolved. 3. If splenic rupture is recognised and surgery performed quickly, the prognosis is good.
- Recovery is generally complete, but it can take several weeks to months to feel quite well again. Prolonged tiredness is common.
- Fever usually abates in about 10 days, and swollen lymph glands and spleen heal in 4 weeks. Fatigue usually resolves within a few weeks, but may linger for 2 to 3 months.
- Most patients with mononucleosis recover completely. Some people with the illness develop strep throat. This is a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.
Transmission
- EBV is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can cause this disease. Typically, these viruses spread most commonly through bodily fluids, especially saliva. However, these viruses can also spread through blood and semen during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantations.
- Transmission occurs less than 10% of the time when asusceptible individual comes into close contact with an EBV shedder;therefore, it is not a particularly contagious disease. Virus can beshed in salivary secretions from patients with IM for many weeks. Themedian duration of virus shedding is 32 weeks after diagnosis, althoughsome studies show that the EBV virus could be s…
Treatment
- There's no specific therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mainly involves taking care of yourself, such as getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids. You may take over-the-c…
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Besides getting plenty of rest, these steps can help relieve symptoms of mononucleosis: 1. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices.Fluids help relieve a fever and sore throat and prevent dehydration. 2. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Use pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) as needed. These medicines have no antiviral prop…
Coping and Support
- Mononucleosis can last weeks, keeping you at home as you recover. Be patient with your body as it fights the infection. For young people, having mononucleosis will mean some missed activities — classes, team practices and parties. Without a doubt, you'll need to take it easy for a while. Students need to let their schools know they are recovering from mononucleosis and may need …
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If you suspect you have mononucleosis, see your family doctor. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor.