As college students head home for winter break our clinics see an increase in the number of people with infectious mononucleosis, better known as “mono” or the “kissing disease.”
This viral infection is caused by the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). It most commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 to 24 years. It is transmitted by person to person contact through the saliva, hence the term “kissing disease,” but it also can be spread by sharing drinks or food utensils.
The usual signs and symptoms include:
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- Fever
- Fatigue
- Body Aches
- Sore throat
- Swollen neck glands – especially those located towards the back of the neck.
Other signs and symptoms are headache, poor appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain, an enlarged spleen and rash.
Symptoms of mono can be very similar to those of strep throat which is a bacterial throat infection. So, it is important to rule out strep throat since it requires antibiotics for treatment. Your healthcare provider can perform an in-office test to check for strep throat with results within minutes.
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Mono is diagnosed based upon your symptoms, physical exam and laboratory tests. The most commonly used test for mono is a blood test known as the mono spot. It is important to know that even if you have mono, this test may not always detect the disease in the first few weeks of illness. So, if your mono spot is negative your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing.
Treatment for mono is supportive since there are no antiviral medications that cure the infection. Management includes:
- Rest and hydration
- Tylenol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen
- Steroids given by your healthcare provider if difficulty with breathing occurs
Fortunately, most initial symptoms of mono resolve within a few weeks. However, fatigue can last several months. A person infected with mono can usually return to school or work once fatigue has improved and fever has resolved. Since there is the risk of rupture of the spleen, most athletes should avoid sports for the first 3-4 weeks.
Stay healthy this holiday season and reduce your risks of developing mono by avoiding kissing and sharing food or drinks with persons who are ill or known to have mono.
