Mononucleosis

What is it?

Mononucleosis (mon-o-noo-kle-O-sis) or "mono" is an infection (in-FEK-shun). It is also called the "kissing disease" because open-mouth kissing is one way it is spread. People of any age can get mono, but it is most common in people aged 15 to 35. Mono can make you feel very tired and sick for two to four weeks. You may not feel back to normal for two to three months. There is no cure or vaccine for mono. The best treatment for mono is rest, drinking liquids, and taking medicines to decrease fever and discomfort.

What causes mono?

Mono is usually caused by a germ called the Epstein-Barr virus. It is spread when an infected person's saliva (sah-LI-vah) goes into your mouth or nose. Saliva (spit) is the clear fluid made by the glands in your mouth. In addition to open-mouth kissing, mono can be spread by an infected person's coughs or sneezes. It can be spread by sharing cups, eating utensils, toothbrushes, lip gloss, and drinking straws.

What are the signs and symptoms of mono?

You may not feel sick with mono until four to seven weeks after you have caught the virus. Sometimes, your symptoms may be so mild that you do not even know you are ill. You may have any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Extreme tiredness or weakness.
  
  
• Fever.
  
  
• Tender, swollen areas (bumps) at the sides and back of your neck. These "bumps" are called your lymph (limf) nodes. You may also feel tender or swollen lymph nodes in your armpits or groin (where your leg meets your belly).
  
  
• Sore, swollen throat and tonsils. It may be hard for you to swallow.
  
  
• Headaches and muscle aches.
  
  
• Upset stomach. You may have abdominal (belly) pain or may not be hungry.
  
  
• Sweats.
  
  
• Swelling of upper eyelids.
  
  
• Body organ swelling. Sometimes, an infected person's liver or spleen swells and becomes larger. The liver and spleen are organs inside your belly.

How is mono diagnosed?

Your caregiver will do a medical exam and will take some of your blood to run tests. A "monospot" is a blood test that caregivers often do to learn if you have mono. Your caregiver may also do a throat culture if he thinks you may have a throat or tonsil infection.

How is mono treated?

• No special medicine is usually needed to treat mono. Treatment for mono includes rest, drinking liquids, and taking medicines to treat fever and other signs and symptoms. Sometimes people with mono also have infections in their throat or sinuses that are caused by bacteria (bak-TE-re-ah) (germs). If you have a bacterial infection, your caregiver may give you antibiotics (an-ti-bi-OT-iks) to get rid of the infection.
  
  
• Avoid heavy activity and contact sports such as football or soccer for at least three to four weeks. Do not start doing them again until your caregiver says it is OK. If your spleen is larger because of mono, it may rupture (break) easily. Doing heavy activity or contact sports too soon after having mono may cause your spleen to rupture.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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