Herpes Doctor

Mononucleosis is a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus which
is a Herpes virus. Occassionally it is also caused by CMV, Adenovirus,
HIV, Toxoplasma, Rubella, and the Hepatitis viruses. Mononucleosis is
also known as glandular fever, mono or the kissing disease. It is mostly
seen in teenagers but can in principle be seen at any age.
Monononucleosis is a very common condition and most people have had
it as teenagers or in childhood without knowing.

There is no cure or treatment for Mononucleosis but it will go
away on its own and in most cases has no complications. Some rare
complications are chronic fatigue syndrom or hepatitis.

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

The incubation period of Mononucleosis is 4-6 weeks and tiredness
is usually the first symptom. It can last weeks or months and it is
very important to rest, sleep and keep hydrated. It is quite normal
to go though a couple of months with tiredness after Mononucleosis.

Mononucleosis is contagious via saliva which is why it is sometimes
called the kissing disease although you can also get it via sharing
drinks or food etc. It is mostly contagious in the incubation period
which has no symptoms but also when you have it and a couple of weeks
or months after.

It is not just teenagers who get Mononucleosis, they just get the
worst symptoms. When babies and young children get it, the symptoms
are very mild and are not usually recognised 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. Once you've had it, you are immune to further outbreaks. The
Epstein-Barr virus will stay permanently in your body along with the
antibodies that your body developed to fight the virus.

The spleen and milt expands during Mononucleosis and will stay
expanded for weeks or months afterwards. Physical exercise and alcohol
should be avoided for the next 3 months after recovering from
mononucleosis to prevent rupture of spleen and milt.

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