Mononucleosis, or the “kissing disease,” is caused by the Epstein Barr virus and is more common in older teenagers. Symptoms include extreme exhaustion, sore throat, swollen glands, and chills or fever. Treatment includes bed rest, fluid intake, and antibiotics for strep throat. Recovery takes about three to four weeks, but fatigue and occasional relapses can occur. Those with severe swelling of the spleen or liver may require oral steroids, and those with organ swelling may need to be monitored closely to prevent permanent damage. Chronic fatigue syndrome may occur in rare cases and is difficult to diagnose.
Mononucleosis is a disease caused by the Epstein Barr virus and is more common in older teenagers, although young adults and children can also get it. It is sometimes called the “kissing disease,” as the primary means of contraction is through contact with the saliva of an infected person. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to kiss someone else to get it, however, and it’s actually more common to pass it on by sharing food or drink with someone who has Epstein Barr virus but isn’t showing any symptoms.
The most common effects of mono are extreme exhaustion, a very sore throat, swollen or painful glands, and chills or fever. In young children, these effects can be very mild. Some cases will also show swelling of the spleen, which can also cause significant stomach pain. The primary symptoms tend to last for about three to four weeks, and most patients also have a sore throat.
These symptoms are caused by an increase in leukocytes, which are white blood cells. Often, when blood is drawn, clinical tests reveal atypical white blood cells that usually suggest the presence of mononucleosis. Tests for Epstein Barr may also be done, but even after someone has had an active case of this disease, it will show the presence of Epstein Barr immunities. Long after a case of illness, people can still be carriers of the virus.
The fact that people are still potentially contagious after getting mono is not as scary as it sounds. Nearly everyone is exposed to Epstein Barr repeatedly throughout their lives, with scientists estimating an exposure rate for most people at around 80-90%, but not everyone who has Epstein Barr antibodies will get sick. . Current research suggests that periods of extreme stress or overwork may make you more susceptible to a full-blown case, and that exposure may have occurred many years earlier. In most cases, children with the disease are never diagnosed unless they show all the symptoms, which many never do.
There is usually very little treatment for this disease other than bed rest, vigilant fluid intake, and antibiotics when strep throat is present. Antiviral drugs have shown little benefit. Severe swelling of the spleen or liver may require the use of oral steroids such as prednisone, and those with organ swelling may need to be monitored more closely so that no permanent damage to the spleen or liver occurs.
After the first three to four weeks of being sick, most people notice an immense improvement. However, fatigue and occasional relapses can occur. If relapses are noted more than six months after diagnosis, and particularly when exhaustion prevails, the diagnosis may include chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which can last for years. CFS is relatively rare and also difficult to diagnose, since everyone who has had mononucleosis will still show Epstein Barr virus in their blood.
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