Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus which is
contagious via saliva. You get it typically via kissing or
sharing food or drinks with someone who has the Epstein-Barr
virus in either the incubation period of Mononucleosis, the
full blown Mononucleosis or just after Mononucleosis.

The symptoms of Mononucleosis are:

• Being tired all the time
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes (also commonly known as glands,
  located in the neck, underarms, and groin)
• Headaches
• Sore muscles
• Larger-than-normal liver and spleen
• Skin rash
• Abdominal pain

Mononucleosis Hits Teenagers Hardest

This is mostly seen in teenagers but it is not just teenagers
who get Mononucleosis, they just get the worst symptoms.

But in infants and children, the symptoms are often not diagnosed

When babies
and young children get it, the symptoms are very mild and are not
usually recognized as Mononucleosis. It is estimated that about
half the population in Western civilization had undiagnosed
Mononucleosis in childhood and therefore will not get it as
teenagers. Children and babies who have Mononucleosis or are about
to have it can also transmit the infection.

Because Mononucleosis is not only contagious when the symptoms
are visible, it is hard to avoid catching it. You are also quite
likely to have had it as a child which means that you won't catch
it again as a teenager. Luckily it is not usually a life threatening
disease although it can last for weeks or sometimes months.

Related Links

• Can you avoid giving Mononucleosis to others?
• Is Mononucleosis contagious?

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