Medication
When you’re sick with infectious mononucleosis or EBV infection, your doctor will likely recommend you stay home, get a lot of rest, and drink plenty of clear fluids. If your throat hurts, you can try gargling with warm salt water or sucking on lozenges. Listen to your body. If you’re feeling tired, stay in bed.
Procedures
Infectious mononucleosis is an illness caused by a viral infection. It is commonly called mononucleosis, or "mono." Mononucleosis is most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. In some cases, it is caused by other viruses.
Self-care
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-counter pain relievers to treat a fever or sore throat. Treating secondary infections and other complications.
Nutrition
Infectious mononucleosis is considered a self-limited illness, but it may result in serious complications involving the pulmonary, ophthalmologic, neurologic and hematologic systems. Treatment is focused on managing the symptoms, unless more severe disease involving other organ systems occurs.
What should I do if I have infectious mononucleosis?
What is infectious mononucleosis?
How do antibiotics treat mono?
What is the prognosis of infectious mononucleosis (IM)?
Which of the following agents are used for the treatment of mononucleosis?
Acyclovir, which inhibits viral shedding from the oropharynx, is the only antiviral drug used to treat infectious mononucleosis in placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Do antivirals help with mono?
No effective antiviral therapy is available for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis in immunocompetent persons. Acyclovir and ganciclovir may reduce EBV shedding, but are ineffective clinically. Treatment of immunocompromised patients with EBV lymphoproliferative disease is controversial.
Does prednisone help mononucleosis?
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.
Does valacyclovir help Epstein Barr?
Long-Term Administration of Valacyclovir Reduces the Number of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Infected B Cells but Not the Number of EBV DNA Copies per B Cell in Healthy Volunteers.
How long does it take to recover from mononucleosis?
Most people start to recover from mononucleosis within 2 weeks, though some symptoms, such as fatigue, can take 3-4 weeks or even longer to go away. 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.
How long does it take for a monospot test to show antibodies?
This test isn’t always accurate, especially in younger children, and it takes several days for it to show the presence of the antibodies after a child starts to feel ill. The “monospot” is one test that checks for heterophile antibodies. The results of these tests are not always clear, so you may need even more tests.
Can you take aspirin with mono?
In case mono has affected your liver, check with your doctor before you take acetaminophen. Don’t give aspirin to children or teens. It’s been linked to a disease called Reye's syndrome, a serious illness that can be life-threatening. Call 911 if you or your child is having any trouble breathing.
Can you get an EBV test for mono?
You may also get an EBV test if you don’t seem to have a typical case of mono. This blood test checks for Epstein Barr virus. Doctors usually don’ t need EBV test results to diagnose mono. But it can help them find out if the Epstein Barr virus is to blame.
How to treat mononucleosis?
Treatment for mononucleosis may include: Rest (to give the body's immune system time to destroy the virus) Drink plenty of liquids. Take over-the-counter medicine as directed for discomfort and fever. Corticosteroids only when necessary to reduce swelling of the throat and tonsils.
What test is used to determine if you have infectious mononucleosis?
White blood cell count, which is not diagnostic, but the presence of certain types of white blood cells (lymphocytes) may support the diagnosis. Heterophile antibody test or monospot test, which, if positive, indicates infectious mononucleosis.
How long does it take for mononucleosis to show?
It’s often spread through contact with infected saliva from the mouth. Symptoms can take between 4 to 6 weeks to appear and usually do not last beyond 4 months.
What is the cause of mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A variant of mononucleosis that is milder than EBV infectious mononucleosis is caused by the cytomegalovirus (CMV). Both EBV and CMV are members of the herpes virus family: In the U.S., most adults between 35 and 40 years old have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Can children get mononucleosis?
However, uninfected adolescents and young adults who come in contact with the virus may develop an illness very similar to infectious mononucleosis.
Does Epstein-Barr cause mononucleosis?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may cause infectious mononucleosis in adolescents and young adults. However, even after the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis have disappeared, the EBV will remain dormant in the throat and blood cells during that person's lifetime.
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 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
What is the most common test to exclude before diagnosis of IM?
Pharyngitis can be caused by various bacteria (e.g., group A streptococcus) and viruses (EBV, adenovirus, influenza, herpes simplex), so excluding these causes for symptoms may be pertinent. Throat culture testing for group A streptococcus is likely the most common test to exclude before diagnosis of IM.
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
How long does EBV stay in the oropharynx?
EBV may be shed continually from the oropharynx for up to a year following primary infection. EBV is typically a lifelong infection that latently persists in memory B cells where it may be reactivated and shed into oropharyngeal secretions. 2.
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 the role of a pharmacist in pharyngitis?
Role of the Pharmacist. Pharmacists can play a key role in the management and education of IM. The appearance of a morbilli form rash after penicillin administration for pharyngitis may signal that IM is the cause of the pharyngitis.
Can EBV cause fatigue?
Young children infected with EBV generally are asymptomatic or have such mild disease that symptoms are not recognized. Older children, teens, and young adults are more likely to develop the symptomatic clinical signs of IM. Once infected, some patients may experience a prodromal period of symptoms where they may experience headache, anorexia, and fatigue for 1 to 2 weeks before more classical symptoms become apparent. 4
What is the cause of infectious mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and most commonly affects young adults from 15 to 35 years of age. The diagnosis is made by accurate assessment of clinical, hematologic and serologic manifestations of the illness. Manifestations include the classic triad of fever, …. Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the ...
What is the cause of mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and most commonly affects young adults from 15 to 35 years of age. The diagnosis is made by accurate assessment of clinical, hematologic and serologic manifestations of the illness. Manifestations include the classic triad of fever, ….
Is infectious mononucleosis a self-limited disease?
Infectious mononucleosis is considered a self-limited illness, but it may result in serious complications involving the pulmonary, ophthalmologic, neurologic and hematologic systems. Treatment is focused on managing the symptoms, unless more severe disease involving other organ systems occurs.
What is the name of the virus that causes mononucleosis?
It is commonly called mononucleosis, or "mono.". Mononucleosis is most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. In some cases, it is caused by other viruses.
Why is mononucleosis called the kissing disease?
Mononucleosis has been nicknamed the "kissing disease.". This is because Epstein-Barr virus commonly is transmitted during kissing. However, sneezes and coughs also can transmit the virus. To continue reading this article, you must log in.
How to treat mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis is treated with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications that provide symptom relief. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce fever, sore throat, and body aches. Over-the-counter throat lozenges can help with the sore throat.
What is the best pain reliever for mononucleosis?
Acetaminophen is the most commonly advised pain reliever for mononucleosis, but (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin can also be used. Because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a potentially fatal drug reaction, aspirin should never be given to children or teenagers with a viral infection.
How to tell if you have monospot?
With a Monospot blood test, a general practitioner can arrive at a diagnosis in minutes. The common symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and fatigue. Patients frequently describe the sore throat as the worst they’ve ever experienced. Other possible mono symptoms include:
What is the best medicine for fever?
Over-the-counter pain relievers, throat lozenges, hard candy, and herbal teas can help relieve symptoms. For over-the-counter pain and fever relief, acetaminophen is your best choice followed by ibuprofen or naproxen.
Where does mononucleosis spread?
Also called glandular fever, infectious mononucleosis initially infects cells in the top of the mouth and throat and spreads to the salivary glands (tonsils). From there, the virus enters into B lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell responsible for fighting infections.
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.
Do people with mononucleosis reactivate?
Once infected, people carry the virus in a dormant stage for the remainder of their life and it usually does not reactivate. Infectious mononucleosis is most common among people never exposed to the virus, mainly teenagers, college students, and young adults.
How long does it take for mono to show up?
Typical mono symptoms don’t show up until four–six weeks after the initial viral infection.
What is the treatment for Epstein-Barr?
Symptomatic Epstein-Barr infections are generally in the form of infectious mononucleosis, the treatment for which is over-the-counter fever and pain medications, hydration, and rest. When someone is first infected with EBV in childhood, they usually have no symptoms.
What is the most common virus in humans?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common infections in humans. This infection is active worldwide, and somewhere around 95% of people get infected with this virus during their lifetimes. 1 EBV is also known as human herpesvirus 4. EBV infection usually doesn’t cause symptoms and, therefore, often isn't treated.
How does EBV become chronic?
EBV becomes chronic when the patient’s immune system can’t control the virus. Their white blood cells become infected, and the levels of the virus in their blood stay high. Patients typically have fevers and swollen lymph nodes, spleen, and liver, as well as lowered blood cell counts.
How long does Epstein-Barr last?
They may worsen and cause long-term complications, or the virus may reappear when the person's immune system is weakened. If the illness lasts longer than six months , it is called chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV)—a rare syndrome that can be deadly. 6. EBV becomes chronic when the patient’s immune system can’t control the virus.
What is the best treatment for CAEBV?
The best treatment can do is ease symptoms and the conditions caused by the infection. 7. When a patient has CAEBV, the only real treatment is a stem cell transplant to repair the immune system, helping the body fight off the virus. But even if the transplant is successful, it's possible the virus can return.
How does Epstein-Barr spread?
Other ways the Epstein-Barr virus can spread include through blood transfusions, bodily fluids being passed during sexual contact, or organ transplants. 2.
Epidemiology
Pathogenesis
Transmission
Signs and Symptoms
Specialist to consult
Diagnosis
- Physical exam
Your doctor may suspect mononucleosis based on your signs and symptoms, how long they've lasted, and a physical exam. He or she will look for signs such as swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, liver or spleen, and consider how these signs relate to the symptoms you describe.
Complications
Pharmacologic Treatment
Nonpharmacologic Treatment
Common Concerns
Role of The Pharmacist