Fuck?! Infectious Mononucleosis:
Recently a friend of mine has been diagonosed with Infectious Mononucleosis, also known as "Mono" which, turns out, is contagious... so to all those who run the risk of catching it (you know who you are) you might want to read this...
Infectious Mononucleosis:
The virus can be spread through contact with saliva, mucus (from the nose and throat), and sometimes tears. Rarely, EBV is spread through blood transfusions. Because the virus can be spread through saliva, mono is sometimes called the kissing disease.
Once you have been infected with EBV, your body may periodically shed (or give off) the virus throughout your lifetime, possibly spreading the virus to others.2 This can occur despite the fact that you do not have symptoms after your initial mono infection; the virus may still be found in your saliva up to 18 months after you have recovered from your symptoms.1 Some newly infected people may not have any symptoms of mono and may not be aware they are spreading the virus that causes mono.
Symptoms:
Not every one infected with the virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV) has symptoms. This is especially true in young children, who may have a fever but no other symptoms. Young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 are more likely to have obvious symptoms.1
The most common symptoms of mono are:
Fever, which may range from 101 °F(38.3 °C) to 104 °F(40 °C), and chills.
Sore throat, often with white patches on the tonsils (which may resemble strep throat).
Swollen lymph nodes all over the body, especially the lymph nodes in the neck.
Swollen tonsils.
Headache or body aches.
A lack of energy and fatigue.
Loss of appetite.
Pain in the upper left part of the abdomen, which may indicate that the spleen has become enlarged.
Mono is usually a mild illness that goes away without treatment after several weeks. During this time your symptoms may come and go, and your symptoms may change with time.
Sore throat is worst during the first 3 to 5 days and gradually improves over the next 7 to 10 days.
Fever may last 10 to 14 days; usually it is mild during the last 5 to 7 days. If you have a fever, you should stay home from work or school until the fever goes away. You can then go back to your normal activities if you feel up to it.
Swollen glands may last up to 4 weeks.
It may take several weeks (even months) for your energy level to return to normal. Don't try to rush this process. Pushing yourself too hard could make you feel worse. Give your body the rest it needs.
When To Call a Doctor:
If you have been diagnosed with mono, seek care immediately if:
You develop severe abdominal pain in the upper left part of your abdomen. This may indicate that your spleen has ruptured. Rupture of an enlarged spleen caused by mono is rare. It is most likely to occur because of a blow to the abdomen, but it may sometimes occur even without such an injury.4
Your tonsils become so swollen that you find it difficult to breathe or swallow.
If you have not been diagnosed with mono and you have a severe sore throat that has lasted longer than 2 to 3 days after trying home treatment, call your health professional within 1 to 2 days.
If you have not been diagnosed with mono and have tried home treatment for 7 to 10 days, contact your health professional if you have:
Lack of energy.
Body aches.
Swollen glands.
Prevention:
The virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]) is not spread as easily as most people think. If you follow these tips, you can reduce the chance of spreading or catching mono.
Don't kiss or share dishes or eating utensils with someone who has mono. (A brief kiss on the lips is not likely to spread EBV; it is spread when saliva from an infected person enters another person's mouth.)
Don't donate blood if you have mono. While it is unusual for the Epstein-Barr virus to be spread through blood, it is possible.
What Increases Your Risk:
Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). You are at increased risk of developing mono if you:
Are between the ages of 15 and 24, especially if you are in close contact with many people. In the United States, college students, nurses, and people in the military are most likely to get mono.
Have intimate contact with a person who has mono or an active EBV infection. (A brief kiss on the lips is not likely to spread EBV; it is spread when saliva from an infected person enters another person's mouth.)
Share drinking glasses, eating utensils, dishes, or a toothbrush with an infected person. A person does not have to have symptoms of mono to spread EBV.
Once you have been infected with EBV, the virus may stay in your body for the rest of your life, but you will not get mono again.
EBV is not spread through the air. You can live in the same house with a person who has mono and never become infected with the virus.
-http://my.webmd.com/hw/infection/hw168622.asp
I really hope I don't get this... All I can think of is Holden's "Mono Horror Story." Blah.
smartklutz24: life lesson: never share drinks
Ix lauren xI 17: yep.
Infectious Mononucleosis:
The virus can be spread through contact with saliva, mucus (from the nose and throat), and sometimes tears. Rarely, EBV is spread through blood transfusions. Because the virus can be spread through saliva, mono is sometimes called the kissing disease.
Once you have been infected with EBV, your body may periodically shed (or give off) the virus throughout your lifetime, possibly spreading the virus to others.2 This can occur despite the fact that you do not have symptoms after your initial mono infection; the virus may still be found in your saliva up to 18 months after you have recovered from your symptoms.1 Some newly infected people may not have any symptoms of mono and may not be aware they are spreading the virus that causes mono.
Symptoms:
Not every one infected with the virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV) has symptoms. This is especially true in young children, who may have a fever but no other symptoms. Young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 are more likely to have obvious symptoms.1
The most common symptoms of mono are:
Fever, which may range from 101 °F(38.3 °C) to 104 °F(40 °C), and chills.
Sore throat, often with white patches on the tonsils (which may resemble strep throat).
Swollen lymph nodes all over the body, especially the lymph nodes in the neck.
Swollen tonsils.
Headache or body aches.
A lack of energy and fatigue.
Loss of appetite.
Pain in the upper left part of the abdomen, which may indicate that the spleen has become enlarged.
Mono is usually a mild illness that goes away without treatment after several weeks. During this time your symptoms may come and go, and your symptoms may change with time.
Sore throat is worst during the first 3 to 5 days and gradually improves over the next 7 to 10 days.
Fever may last 10 to 14 days; usually it is mild during the last 5 to 7 days. If you have a fever, you should stay home from work or school until the fever goes away. You can then go back to your normal activities if you feel up to it.
Swollen glands may last up to 4 weeks.
It may take several weeks (even months) for your energy level to return to normal. Don't try to rush this process. Pushing yourself too hard could make you feel worse. Give your body the rest it needs.
When To Call a Doctor:
If you have been diagnosed with mono, seek care immediately if:
You develop severe abdominal pain in the upper left part of your abdomen. This may indicate that your spleen has ruptured. Rupture of an enlarged spleen caused by mono is rare. It is most likely to occur because of a blow to the abdomen, but it may sometimes occur even without such an injury.4
Your tonsils become so swollen that you find it difficult to breathe or swallow.
If you have not been diagnosed with mono and you have a severe sore throat that has lasted longer than 2 to 3 days after trying home treatment, call your health professional within 1 to 2 days.
If you have not been diagnosed with mono and have tried home treatment for 7 to 10 days, contact your health professional if you have:
Lack of energy.
Body aches.
Swollen glands.
Prevention:
The virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]) is not spread as easily as most people think. If you follow these tips, you can reduce the chance of spreading or catching mono.
Don't kiss or share dishes or eating utensils with someone who has mono. (A brief kiss on the lips is not likely to spread EBV; it is spread when saliva from an infected person enters another person's mouth.)
Don't donate blood if you have mono. While it is unusual for the Epstein-Barr virus to be spread through blood, it is possible.
What Increases Your Risk:
Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). You are at increased risk of developing mono if you:
Are between the ages of 15 and 24, especially if you are in close contact with many people. In the United States, college students, nurses, and people in the military are most likely to get mono.
Have intimate contact with a person who has mono or an active EBV infection. (A brief kiss on the lips is not likely to spread EBV; it is spread when saliva from an infected person enters another person's mouth.)
Share drinking glasses, eating utensils, dishes, or a toothbrush with an infected person. A person does not have to have symptoms of mono to spread EBV.
Once you have been infected with EBV, the virus may stay in your body for the rest of your life, but you will not get mono again.
EBV is not spread through the air. You can live in the same house with a person who has mono and never become infected with the virus.
-http://my.webmd.com/hw/infection/hw168622.asp
I really hope I don't get this... All I can think of is Holden's "Mono Horror Story." Blah.
smartklutz24: life lesson: never share drinks
Ix lauren xI 17: yep.