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Mono: Think Twice Before Smooching or Sharing Your Cup

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Spring break and prom season are around the corner, which is what got me thinking about the topic of infectious mononucleosis, otherwise known as mono or the “Kissing Disease.” The reason why these two exciting springtime events inspired this blog post is because, well, kissing happens! Before you head off for a good time with friends, or watch your teenagers head out the door, read this and be prepared so you and your loved ones don’t become sick with mono.

Mono: Think Twice before Smooching or Sharing Your Cup
Classic mono usually affects young adults
15 to 24 years old and is most famous for being
spread by kissing.

What is Mono?

Mono is term commonly used to describe a constellation of symptoms associated with an infection. It is most frequently caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

How is it Spread?

Most people are exposed to EBV by the time they reach adulthood. Many people with this infection don’t develop symptoms and don’t know they have it, but they can shed virus and expose others. The virus is spread through body fluids such as saliva, mucous and tears. It is most famous for being spread by kissing teenagers, but mono can also be passed from one person to another through:

  • Coughing and sneezing
  • Sharing food, beverages, containers, eating utensils and toothbrushes

Symptoms of Mono

diagram 2

Classic mono usually affects young adults 15 to 24 years old, but the virus can infect people of all ages. Mono symptoms usually start to appear four to six weeks after you are exposed to the virus. If you become sick with mono, expect to have a severe sore throat with white patches on your tonsils. Other symptoms may include:

  • Body aches
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Enlarged lymph nodes elsewhere in your body
  • Enlarged spleen (Pain in left upper part of your abdomen)
  • Headache
  • High fever (101-104 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Loss of appetite

Diagnosing Mono

Contact your doctor if you have several of the symptoms. Mono is frequently confused with Strep throat, a bacterial infection that causes many of the same symptoms. Doctors can usually do a quick test in the office to make sure you do not have Strep throat. In the office, they may:

  • Review your medical history
  • Perform a physical exam
  • Order a Monospot test or EBV serologies to confirm the diagnosis
  • Conduct tests to rule out other infections (i.e. strep throat)

Treatment for Mono (Tweet this)

If your symptoms are mild, they will most likely go away in a few weeks. Recommended treatments for mono primarily focus on symptom relief. Unlike Strep throat which needs to be treated with antibiotics, there are no good anti-viral medications directed at treating the EBV infection itself.

  • Rest is very important! Kids may need to stay home from school too, especially if they have fevers.
  • Gargling with salt water and sucking on throat lozenges may help with throat pain.
  • Taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (i.e. ibuprofen) to help with fever and body aches.
  • Avoiding heavy lifting and contact sports for at least four to six weeks, especially if your spleen is enlarged.

Reduce Your Chances of Getting Mono (Tweet this)

The most effective way of keeping yourself from being affected by mono is simply keeping your distance from anyone sick with mono. If a friend or family member has mono, don’t kiss, share eating utensils, or come in close contact with them until they are healthy again. Kids should be encouraged to avoid sharing drinks and food at school. We all need to remember to wash our hands regularly, especially before eating.

Now that you know a little more about mono, its symptoms, and how to reduce your chances of getting sick, I hope you feel better equipped to keep you and your loved ones healthy and have fun this spring! Spread the knowledge and share this with family and friends on social media.

Thank you to Jeffrey Bender, MD, medical director in the Division of Infectious Disease at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for his advisement on this RN Remedies®  blog post.


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