Mono

[Toasty]

It's been spreading around my school like wildfire. I'm likely infected, as all (literally, ALL) of my friends either have it or are in the developing stages.

Can anyone give me some info on the disease? Has anyone here had it?

 

[IceBlaZe]

What is mononucleosis?


Mononucleosis (often called "mono") is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Signs of mono include fever, sore throat, headaches, white patches on the back of your throat, swollen glands in your neck, feeling tired and not feeling hungry.

How is mono passed?


Mono is not spread as easily as some other viruses, such as the common cold. The mono virus is found in saliva and mucus. It is usually passed from one person to another through kissing, although it may rarely be passed in other ways, such as coughing. Signs of mono usually develop 4 to 7 weeks after you're exposed to the virus. Generally, people only get mono once. It's most common among people 15 to 35 years old.

How is mono diagnosed?


Your doctor will probably first ask you some questions about your symptoms and then may do blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. One common test used to diagnose mono is called the Monospot test. Sometimes other blood tests are needed if the results of the Monospot test aren't clear.

Does mono have any complications?


Sometimes. The main serious concern with mono is that the spleen will enlarge and even rupture (tear open). The spleen is like a large gland. It's located in the upper part of your abdomen on the left side. It has functions that relate to your blood.


Although a ruptured spleen is rare in people with mono, it's wise to be aware of the signs and call your doctor right away if you notice any of them. Signs of a ruptured spleen include pain in the left upper part of your abdomen (under the left chest), feeling lightheaded, feeling like your heart is beating fast and hard, bleeding more easily than usual and having trouble breathing.

Can mono be cured?


No. But mono will go away on its own. Symptoms usually last about 4 weeks.

How is mono treated?


The main point of treatment is to relieve your symptoms. The following list includes tips on treatment.


Rest.
Drink plenty of fluids.
If you have a sore throat, gargle with salt water, or suck on throat lozenges, hard candy or flavored frozen desserts (such as Popsicles).
You may want to take acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (some brand names: Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) to relieve pain and fever. Do not give aspirin to children. Aspirin should be avoided because it has been associated with a disease called Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a serious illness that can lead to death.
Do I need an antibiotic?


Antibiotics like penicillin are of no help in mono. Mono is caused by a virus, and antibiotics don't work against viruses. If you have a bacterial infection in addition to having mono, your doctor may give you an antibiotic.

What about sports and exercise?


Avoid sports, activities or exercise of any kind until your doctor tells you it's safe. Moving around too much puts you at risk of rupturing your spleen. You need to avoid physical activities for about 3 to 4 weeks after the infection starts.

http://familydoctor.org/handouts/077.html

 

[nixon]

I'll help you, my dear boy. I've never experienced it by myself, though.


Infectious Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis is a disease characterized by fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes, which is caused by Epstein-Barr virus--one of the herpesviruses.

After first invading the cells lining the nose and throat, Epstein-Barr virus spreads to the B lymphocytes (the white blood cells responsible for producing antibodies). Epstein-Barr virus infection is very common, affecting children, adolescents, and adults alike. About 50 percent of all American children have had an Epstein-Barr virus infection before age 5. However, the virus isn't very contagious. Teenagers and young adults usually catch infectious mononucleosis by kissing or having other intimate contact with someone infected with the Epstein-Barr virus.

The Epstein-Barr virus is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma, a type of cancer that occurs mainly in tropical Africa. The virus also may play a role in certain tumors of B lymphocytes in people with impaired immune systems, such as those with organ transplants or AIDS, and in some cancers of the nose and throat. Although the precise role the Epstein-Barr virus plays in these cancers isn't known, it is thought that specific parts of the virus' genetic material alter the growth cycle of infected cells.

Symptoms and Complications
In most children under age 5, the infection produces no symptoms. In adolescents and adults, it may or may not produce symptoms. The usual time between infection and the appearance of symptoms (incubation period) is thought to be 30 to 50 days.

The four major symptoms are fatigue, a fever, sore throat, and swelling of the lymph nodes. Not everyone has all four symptoms. Usually, the infection begins with a feeling of illness that lasts several days to a week. Then comes a fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. The fever usually peaks at around 103° F. in the afternoon or early evening. The throat may be very sore, and pus-like material may be produced at the back of the throat. Any lymph node may be enlarged, but those in the neck are most commonly enlarged. Fatigue is usually most pronounced in the first 2 to 3 weeks.

In more than 50 percent of the people with infectious mononucleosis, the spleen enlarges. The liver may enlarge slightly. Less commonly, jaundice and swelling around the eyes may occur. Skin rashes occur infrequently, but in one study nearly everyone infected with Epstein-Barr virus who received the antibiotic ampicillin developed a rash. Other complications include inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), seizures, various nerve abnormalities, inflammation of the brain lining (meningitis), and behavioral abnormalities.

The spleen may be more susceptible to injury, and rupture of the spleen is a possible but uncommon complication. If it occurs, emergency surgery to remove the spleen may be required. The number of white blood cells is usually elevated, but the number of white blood cells, blood platelets, and red blood cells may fall. They usually return to normal without treatment. Rarely, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck may press on the airway. Congestion in the lungs may develop but often doesn't cause symptoms.

Diagnosis
A doctor diagnoses infectious mononucleosis based on the symptoms. However, the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are not specific and may resemble those of other infections. For example, cytomegalovirus infection causes a syndrome that is difficult to distinguish from infectious mononucleosis. Other viruses and toxoplasmosis can also produce symptoms similar to those of infectious mononucleosis, as can the side effects of some drugs and some noninfectious diseases.

A blood test can confirm the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. With the test, a doctor can detect antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus. The body also produces new B lymphocytes to eliminate the infected ones. These lymphocytes have a characteristic appearance under the microscope and occur in large numbers in the blood of people with infectious mononucleosis. Streptococcal infection of the throat, which might resemble infectious mononucleosis, can be identified by a throat culture and requires antibiotic treatment to prevent abscesses and reduce the likelihood of rheumatic fever.

Prognosis and Treatment
Most people with infectious mononucleosis recover fully. The length of the illness varies. The acute phase lasts about 2 weeks, after which most people are able to resume their usual activities. However, fatigue may persist for several more weeks and, occasionally, for months.

Rarely (in less than 1 percent of infections), death can occur. Death is most often caused by complications, such as brain inflammation, rupture of the spleen, or airway obstruction, or is particularly likely in a person whose immune system is impaired.

People with infectious mononucleosis are encouraged to rest until the fever, sore throat, and feeling of illness disappear. Because of the risk of rupturing the spleen, heavy lifting and contact sports should be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks, even if the spleen isn't noticeably enlarged.

Acetaminophen or aspirin can be used for fever and pain. However, aspirin should be avoided in children because of the slight possibility of Reye's syndrome, which can be fatal. Some complications, such as severe swelling of the airway, may be treated with corticosteroids. Although acyclovir reduces the production of the Epstein-Barr virus, it has little effect on the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis.

 

[Pongui]

The most incorrect line I've ever heard:

"If you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao / you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow"

 

[insurgent]

Hah! Nothing a good bleeding and a subsequent enema can't fix!

 

[Chris85]

Toast, must have a lot of lovin' at his school. :love2:

 

[Flatlander Fox]

My brother had it, and was out of commission for almost six weeks.

It's a nasty little bug, and doesn't go away too easily.

 

[Perfection]

Originally posted by insurgent
Hah! Nothing a good bleeding and a subsequent enema can't fix!

And if that doesn't work we can allways try leaches

 

[Toasty]

No, this spread through mass drink-sharing. MY group of friends is so badly affected because we go to get coffee every Friday night, and everyone must have a sip of everyone else's .

 

[Chris85]

Originally posted by Toasty
No, this spread through mass drink-sharing. MY group of friends is so badly affected because we go to get coffee every Friday night, and everyone must have a sip of everyone else's .

So, that's what they call it nowadays.

I'm on to your secret life of having mass orgies with your friends on Friday nights and now an epidemic of mono has struck.

 

[TrailblazingScot]

No sympathy


Sipping each others drinks...ICKY!!!

 

[Toasty]

I put the GRRR in swinger baby, yeah !

 

[Pongui]

A virus is a little robot which impregnates your cells with it's own program for self-propagation. You'll get exactly the same symptoms as your friends, with uncanny precision, as the virus runs it's course. Just be prepared for the symptoms, and try to make yourself comfortable. Only a really dumb virus (which you don't have) would do anything to seriously impair it's host.

 

[omichyron]

rather generic symptoms there.... I've had most of them at various points in my life, sometimes even simultaniously. Lack of sleep has me constantly tired, and I can't remember the last time I felt hungry. Asthma can cause many of the other simptoms, and I have that, too....

 

[Leonel]

How not to get mono, you simply don't go snogging girls or boys who snog indiscriminantely! My friend got mono once and she got it from her boyfriend. Uh oh.