And with an incubation period of 4-7 weeks, it can be a while before you know whether you’ve caught it. Transmission requires close contact such as kissing or sharing drinks. Nevertheless, Epstein-Barr is not very contagious. Epstein-Barr virus also causes an increase in the level of "mononuclear" white blood cells in the blood, which is how the disease got its nickname. In addition, the spleen can become enlarged – sports and strenuous activities must be avoided to prevent rupture. However, those who catch it when they are young adults (or older) suffer from sore throats, swollen lymph glands, and extreme malaise. Most people catch the virus at a very young age, at which time the symptoms are often too mild to be noticed. Barr.) More than 95% of the population is infected!
Need to see a doctor for your symptoms? Call 402.472.5000 to schedule an appointment.FACTS: The Kissing Disease, or mononucleosis, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (named after its discovers Michael Epstein and Y. Because of this, it is strongly encouraged to avoid alcohol intake for four weeks.
Because mono can enlarge the spleen, avoiding contact sports for four weeks is recommended. Most people will feel better after one to two weeks, but sometimes it can affect you for up to four weeks. For example, take acetaminophen and 9 a.m., ibuprofen at noon, acetaminophen at 3 p.m., etc.īe patient and gentle with yourself during your recovery. If symptoms are really bothering you, alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen every three hours. If you have other symptoms like a fever or sore throat, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen consistently and continuously until you feel better. Try to increase your sleep overnight and take naps when you can to give your body a chance to heal. When possible, drink water over juice, coffee and soda to help you stay hydrated. There are no antiviral medications for mono.Īhmic says the best way to recover from mono is by getting plenty of rest and increasing your fluid intake. You may be prescribed a steroid for five to seven days to help your body kickstart its recovery if significant swelling and inflammation are present. Now what?īecause mono is a viral infection and not a bacterial infection, antibiotics are not usually prescribed. If the test shows an elevated monocyte count and the person presents with common mono symptoms, they will be diagnosed with mono. How is mono diagnosed?Ī doctor may be able to diagnose solely based on symptoms and through a thorough exam.
MONO KISSING DISEASE PROFESSIONAL
Because symptoms can often be similar to other contagious illnesses, it’s best to see a medical professional to get the correct diagnosis. Often times, Ahmic sees students come in with a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes thinking they have strep throat when they, in fact, have mono. Some of the common symptoms of mono include: This will help prevent other more serious infections from spreading, like influenza, COVID-19 and more. Continue to wash your hands often using soap and warm water, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and don’t share drinks. However, that doesn’t mean you should abandon all prevention measures. If anything, it’s best to get it out of the way early in life, Ahmic says. For this reason and because most people will be exposed to the viruses that cause mono at some point in their life, there’s nothing you can do to prevent getting it. You can spread the virus up to 18 months from having initial symptoms.
Things like sharing utensils or drinks and sexual intercourse can spread mono. However, kissing isn’t the only way you’ll get mono. They spread by saliva, which is why the infection is often called the kissing disease. Yes, the viruses that cause mono are very contagious. So, what do you need to know about this infection to stay safe and recover quickly? Health center provider Malik Ahmic, APRN, answers these and other common questions. The University Health Center sees dozens of cases of mono every semester. Not all cases of EBV will turn into mono, but some will, especially for those not exposed to the virus as a child. The infection is often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV, which infects about 95% of people. Mononucleosis, often referred to as “mono” or the “kissing disease” is a common viral infection that affects teenagers and young adults, including college students.
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