Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono)

Infectious Mononucleosis, commonly referred to as “mono”,  is  an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Although the disease can occur at any age, the  teenagers form the biggest group of sufferers. The disease has an infamous nickname  “kissing disease ”, as the virus tends to spread through saliva.
The  typical symptoms are high fever, swollen lymph glands in the neck and sore throat. Mostly, the infection is mild and easily resolved with minimal treatment. It is a type of herpes virus infection, against which most adults have usually acquired immunity by the age of say 40 years and above.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list the disease as an endemic disease, i.e. the kind that is present in the population at a low level all year round.  

As mentioned earlier, swapping saliva is one way of transmitting the disease and so is sneezing. Infected blood and other body fluids too can easily transmit the virus. So, it is advised to practice careful hygiene and wash hands regularly if there is an infected person in the family or friends circle.

It takes a few weeks for the symptoms of mono to surface in majority of the patients. And even then, it might be just some weakness and fatigue with low grade fever that are never really caught. Essentially the disease can hit and resolve in a patient, even without being diagnosed.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph glands in the neck and underarm
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness and occasional pain
• Swollen tonsils
• Night sweats
• Enlargement of the spleen or liver ( Quite rare )

The diagnosis can be confirmed by  doing a test for the antibodies that are made by the body as a response to EBV and is called the “Mono Spot Test”.

A positive “mono spot” is enough to confirm the presence of infectious mononucleosis. Many a time the patient may be symptomatic for up to 2 weeks before a positive test result  comes. The body has to make a ton of antibodies for the rapid screen test to actually detect them.

Treatment:
The EBV is a virus, and there are not many drugs available to combat viruses. So, it is usually left for the immune system to respond and react.  The patient and primary caregiver can help by supporting the immune system with plenty of rest, fluids, balanced meals and abstaining from contact sports. Over the counter pain killers and fever reducers are generally enough. The  immune system usually takes about 60 days to fight the virus and in very rare cases 4 months.

The patient is advised to refrain from contact sports, because when EBV is active, it attacks the spleen and liver. The spleen and liver in response get swollen and inflamed when the immune system starts fighting back. This makes these vital organs delicate and easily bruised. There are  even chances of rupture; if struck directly. So a teenager suffering from mono should speak to  teachers at school and excuse themselves from the gym class or extreme sports for a couple of months.