Symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for Mono

Symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for Mono

Mononucleosis, commonly known as "mono" or the "kissing disease," is a viral infection that primarily affects teens and young adults. The infection is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which remains dormant in the body for life without usually causing further issues [1][5].

The primary long-term effect in this age group is prolonged fatigue, which can last for weeks to months. Approximately 28% of cases experience fatigue that persists beyond a month, and some symptoms like mild fever, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches may continue beyond four weeks [1].

While serious long-term complications are rare, they can occur. Enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly) is a potential complication, and in rare cases, it can cause a serious emergency if the spleen ruptures [1][2]. Some liver enlargement or inflammation may also occur, which can lead to jaundice in severe cases [1][2][4].

Prolonged fatigue that significantly impacts daily activities is another potential complication [1][4]. In healthy teens and young adults, serious long-term complications are uncommon, and most recover without persistent organ damage or chronic illness. However, careful management is important during the illness to prevent complications, such as avoiding contact sports to prevent spleen rupture [4].

Blood tests can identify whether or not a person has had a recent or past infection with EBV. The symptoms of mono include extreme fatigue, a high fever, a headache, body aches and muscle weakness, a red, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck or underarms, an enlarged spleen, and a rash [6].

The reactivated virus can spread to others through saliva, so a person can catch mono from someone who has no signs of illness [7]. There is no proven way to prevent mono, but adopting good hygiene practices such as washing hands after using the bathroom and before eating, coughing or sneezing into a sleeve or tissue and washing hands afterward, avoiding people who have mono or symptoms of mono until they recover, staying home from work or school if you have symptoms, and not sharing objects that come into contact with the mouth can help avoid it [7].

In rare cases, mono can cause more serious complications such as blood problems, inflammation of the heart muscle, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes (meningitis), encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and breathing problems due to swollen tonsils [1]. These problems are more likely in a person with a weakened immune system [3].

Antibiotics cannot treat mono as it is a virus. Doctors recommend managing symptoms through pain relievers and fever reducers, salt water gargles for a sore throat, rest, and avoiding sports until symptoms are gone [8]. During this period, a person is contagious and can spread mono to others even though they appear healthy [7].

It is important to note that symptoms of mono can be confused with other viral infections such as cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, HIV, rubella, hepatitis A, B, or C, adenovirus [6]. In older adults, mono is less common, and liver problems may occur [2].

In sum, while the long-term effects of mono in teens and young adults are generally mild, prolonged fatigue is a common occurrence. Serious complications are uncommon but possible, and careful management during the illness is important to prevent complications. The virus remains latent lifelong but usually without symptoms after recovery [1][3][5].

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Mononucleosis. https://www.cdc.gov/mono/about/index.html
2. National Health Service (NHS). (2021). Mononucleosis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mononucleosis/
3. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Mononucleosis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mononucleosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354541
4. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Mononucleosis. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/infections/Pages/Mononucleosis.aspx
5. World Health Organization. (2021). Epstein-Barr virus. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epstein-barr-virus
6. MedlinePlus. (2021). Mononucleosis. https://medlineplus.gov/mononucleosis.html
7. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021). Mononucleosis (Infectious Mononucleosis). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mononucleosis
8. Kids Health. (2021). Mononucleosis. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/mono.html
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