Mononucleosis is an infectious virus caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), one of the Herpesviruses. Mononucleosis is also called mono, the kissing disease, and glandular fever. It usually strikes people in the ten to thirty-five year old age group, but it can also infect younger people. .
Mono is spread by exchange of saliva. Some examples of this are, kissing, sharing drinking glasses, and sharing silverware. You can avoid getting infected by washing your hands, avoiding infected people, and not sharing objects with someone that have been in their mouth. .
The most common symptom of mono is fatigue or weariness. Some other symptoms are chills, fever, sore throat, swelling of the lymph glands in the neck, enlargement of the spleen, inflammation of the mouth and gums, skin rash, and enlargement of the liver. Occasionally, the patients tonsils may enlarge and be covered with pus. Because of this it is sometimes mistaken for strep throat.
Mono can be diagnosed by a blood test. When the blood is taken from the patient, the doctors check for an increase in white blood cells. They can also mix the blood with that of a sheep. If the sheep blood clumps or agglutinates, then it means that there is an antibody in the human blood called heterophile. Heterophile is produced by the spleen when someone is infected with mono. In addition, tests for liver function show mild abnormalities.
Scientists have not yet found a vaccination or cure for this disease. The only known ways to get rid of it are getting a lot of rest, drinking fluid, and keeping your fever in check. After someone is infected with mono, the symptoms occur within six weeks. The disease lasts as short as one week, or as long as eight weeks. In most cases, it is about four weeks. After recovery, weakness may continue for several months, but this is very rare.
