Mononucleosis: How Common is it?
Mononucleosis is very common. 90% of all adults have had it.
About half of those had it in childhood and the other half as
teenagers.
Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus which is a
Herpes virus and is mostly contagious in the incubation period
of Mononucleosis which last from 10 to 60 days and has no symptoms.
The Epstein-barr virus is contagious via saliva, which means
sneezing, kissing (incl pecks on the cheek), sharing food, drink
or similar. Because it is mostly contagious just before the first
symptoms of Mononucleosis, it is very difficult to avoid catching
it as you simply don't know if you have been in contact with someone
who is about to have Mononucleosis, mainly because they don't know
themselves.
The symptoms of Mononucleosis is flu like symptoms combined with
feeling very tired and having no appetite. It can be very long lasting,
from just a week to several months. You may also feel generally run down
in months after but it will pass eventually. You should avoid physical
exercise for a couple of months after incl heavy lifting and also avoid
alcohol. Your liver and spleen will expand (which makes them fragile)
during Mononucleosis and it will take a while before they are back to
normal.
There is no cure for Mononucleosis but it doesn't usually have any
serious complications and you will only get it once. The Epstein-Barr
virus will stay in your body along with the antibodies your body
produced to fight Mononucleosis. The Epstein-Barr virus is not very
contagious after Mononucleosis.
The symptoms are most pronounced in teenagers, but that doesn't mean
that Mononucleosis is a teenage specific illness. When children and
babies have, the symptoms are so mild and flu like that is is often
never diagnosed. The teenagers who don't get Mononucleosis probably
had it in childhood.
If you suspect that you have Mononucleosis, you should see a doctor
for diagnosis and advice.
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Comments
recovery times
How do I know when I can excercise again? How do I know how long I had the virus before it was diagnosed and how long I should take it easy? Is nausea caused from the liver and spleen inflammation?