what is mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis, also known as mono or the kissing disease, is a viral disease that is quite common. Mono is developed after getting the EBV virus. EBV stands for the Epstein Barr virus, a virus in the herpes family that can cause mono and sometimes even two rare forms of cancer. The two rare forms of cancer that can develop in your system after having EBV are called Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It is possible to get EBV without it turning into cancer or mono, but it is unlikely to get mono without getting EBV first. The "kissing disease" is contagious and can be spread through any contact of saliva such as kissing or sharing the same drinking glass with someone who has been infected with EBV or mono. The most common age group affected by mono is ages 15-24
how do i know if i have mononucleosis?
There are certain signs and symptoms of having mono. If you feel really tired, have swollen lymph glands, have a sore throat and tonsils, have a fever and headache, yellowing skin, a rash on your skin, and an enlarged spleen, then you may have mono. These signs don't always mean mono, but you should go to a doctor just in case. Doctors won't diagnose you with mono just because you have the signs and think you do. Before diagnosing you saying you for sure have mono, doctors will take a blood test called the mono spot test that will determine if you are infected with mono or not. You may get infected with mono 4-6 weeks before the symptoms start showing up. Although most people do, not everyone gets the symptoms of the virus, but even if you don't you can still pass it on to others.
"I think I have mononucleosis and want to be tested to make sure, but I don't want my parents to find out yet, where can I go?" Well, if you live somewhere near Madison WI, you can go to Shopko in Madison and go to their FastCare Walk-in clinic. Their, they will test you for Mononucleosis.
"I think I have mononucleosis and want to be tested to make sure, but I don't want my parents to find out yet, where can I go?" Well, if you live somewhere near Madison WI, you can go to Shopko in Madison and go to their FastCare Walk-in clinic. Their, they will test you for Mononucleosis.
Can Mononucleosis be cured or treated?
Mono cannot be cured. Once you get the EBV virus, it stays in your body for the rest of your life. Even though the virus stays in you forever, once the symptoms of mono go away they won't come back. There is also know way for mono to be treated, because this virus doesn't respond to antibiotics or antiviral drugs, they have no effect on it. But, there are ways to make the symptoms go away faster. Ways to relieve the symptoms include getting a lot of rest and fluids, gargling salt water for the sore throat, and staying away from all alcohol for at least three months after you are diagnosed with the virus. You should also take Tylenol to help with the headaches, but DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN UNLESS DIRECTED BY A DOCTOR because the virus tends to react pretty badly to the aspirin and can have dangerous effects. Once these symptoms go away completely, you won't get them again.
how are people infected with mono affected socially?
Someone affected with mono probably would be a little embarrassed for people find out, because people would probably want to stay away from them. Although, they probably wouldn't be super embarrassed, since it can only be passed through saliva, and it’s probably not too difficult to avoid saliva contact.
Sources of Information:
http://teenshealth.org/teen/infections/#cat20173%20%20
http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/common_college_health_issues/mononucleosis.php
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/mononucleosis/hic_overview.aspx
Sources of Information:
http://teenshealth.org/teen/infections/#cat20173%20%20
http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/common_college_health_issues/mononucleosis.php
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/mononucleosis/hic_overview.aspx