Often called the "kissing disease" or "mono," infectious mononucleosis is a contagious, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.
EBV can be transmitted through saliva or mucus when kissing, coughing, sneezing, or sharing drinking and eating utensils.
About 85 to 90 percent of American adults have developed antibodies to EBV by the time they are 40 years old. Having those antibodies indicates the person has had an EBV infection at some time, whether or not they ever had symptoms.
About 30 to 50 percent of the time, EBV causes mono in an infected person.
It's especially common among teenagers and young adults. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 25 percent of teenagers and young adults will develop mono.
EBV is the most common cause of mono, but other viruses can also cause it, such as the human cytomegalovirus.
Typically, viruses linked to mono spread through bodily fluids, especially saliva. Blood and semen also transmit these viruses during sexual contact, blood transfusions, or organ transplants.
Signs and symptoms of mono usually arise 4 to 6 weeks after you're infected with EBV. Young children may show signs sooner. Complaints include:
A fever and sore throat caused by mono will usually get better within a couple of weeks, while fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, and a swollen spleen may linger a few weeks longer.
Your health care provider may suspect mono based on your signs and symptoms and a physical exam.
Blood tests can provide further evidence of an infection. A complete blood count, for example, provides some clues, including abnormal-looking white blood cells, too many of them, or too few neutrophils or platelets.
Abnormal measures of liver function are another indicator of mono.
The Monospot test checks your blood for EBV antibodies. While the results are available within a day, the test may not detect an infection during the first weeks of the illness. Therefore, the Monospot test may be repeated weekly for a while.
Your doctor may also order a different antibody test that takes longer for results but detects an EPV infection within the first week or two of symptoms.
There is no specific treatment for mono. (Antibiotics, of course, dont treat viral infections.)
Resting and drinking plenty of fluids is the best way to aid your recovery. However, the following may help ease your symptoms:
You should avoid intense exercise, heavy lifting, or contact sports for at least 4 to 6 weeks, or until you fully recover.
That's because if you have a swollen spleen, there is a small risk that it will rupture during strenuous activity.
People with mono sometimes develop another, or secondary, bacteria-caused infection such as streptococcal (strep) infection of the throat, sinus infection (sinusitis), or infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis).
If you develop a secondary, bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat it. (Experts recommend avoiding amoxicillin and other penicillin derivatives because they may cause a rash.)
Since there isnt a mono vaccine, the best way to avoid catching the infection from someone who has it is by not kissing or sharing drinks, food, or personal items, like toothbrushes, with them.
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One of the most common human viruses in the world, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a virus in the herpes family of viruses.
By age 35, almost everyone has antibodies to EBV, indicating theyve been infected with the virus at some point in their life whether or not they ever had symptoms.
EBV is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, also known as "the kissing disease" or "mono."
Its characteristic symptoms are fatigue, headache, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
About 30 to 50 percent of the time EBV causes mono, but many EBV infections go unnoticed either because they don't cause symptoms or the discomforts are easily confused with other signs of infections.
Teenagers and young adults are especially vulnerable: At least 25 percent of them will develop mono.
Typically, EBV spreads through bodily fluids, especially saliva and other mucous fluids. Blood and semen can also transmit the virus during sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplants.
You can get EBV by sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, or toothbrushes with a person who has the virus.
Theres no proof that disinfecting such objects will stop the spread of EBV. Its thought that the virus can survive as long as the contaminated object remains moist.
A person whos infected with EBV for the first time can spread the virus for weeks without realizing they're infected. Once you've had an infection, EBV stays inactive and dormant in your body.
However, if the virus reactivates, you can potentially spread it to others, no matter how much time has passed since your initial infection.
When symptoms of EBV occur, they usually go away in 2 to 4 weeks. However, some people may feel fatigued for several weeks or even months.
Symptoms of EBV infection may include the following:
Since symptoms of EBV resemble those of other illnesses, an infection can be difficult to diagnose.
However, there are blood tests that can confirm whether or not youve been infected with EBV.
There is no treatment for EBV, but the following can help relieve symptoms:
While there is no vaccine for EBV infection, you may prevent getting it by avoiding kissing or sharing drinks, food, or personal items (such as toothbrushes) with a person who has it.
In addition to mono, EBV infection can lead to a number of other illnesses and complications, especially in people with compromised immune systems. These complications include:
Complications of EBV affecting the nervous system include:
Complications of EBV affecting the hematologic (blood-forming) system include:
Cancers associated with EBV infection include:
EBV infection can also cause the following:
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While infectious mononucleosis itself may not be a severe infection, mono can lead to serious complications.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that usually causes mono can be especially dangerous for people with impaired immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS or who have recently had an organ transplant.
Mono can enlarge your spleen, causing it to rupture in rare cases.
When rupture occurs, you may feel sharp, sudden pain in the left side of your upper abdomen.
A ruptured spleen requires medical attention immediately, and surgery may be necessary.
Mono can lead to hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and possibly jaundice (yellow skin, mucus membranes, eyes, or all three).
Jaundice occurs because the inflamed liver is processing too much bilirubin (a yellowish pigment) from red blood cells.
The following conditions are less common complications of mononucleosis than spleen and liver problems, but they can occur:
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Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com
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