October 23, 2008
LIVESTRONG.COM
Mononucleosis, the kissing disease, strikes mostly children and adolescents, resulting in fatigue, soreness, and fever. Learn more about mono in this health video.
Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.
DR. SUSAN MCGLADDERY: Hello, my name is Dr. Sue McGladdery. I'm the medical director from FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to talk to you briefly about mononucleosis. Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, EBV. It's a very common virus that most kids are exposed to at some point. Infants and young children with mono tend to have very mild symptoms, but teenagers and young adults often get it much worse. How is it spread? Well, it spreads through coughing, sneezing, and commonly in teenagers through kissing contacts, hence, it's also known as the "kissing disease." What are the symptoms of mononucleosis? At first, it's often mistaken for flu or strep throat. Other symptoms can include things like headaches, sore muscles, skin rash, and painful swollen glands in the neck. There maybe abdominal pain due to enlarged liver and spleen. The symptoms are very variable from mild to severe infection. Mostly, the mono symptoms will clear within 2 to 4 weeks, but for some people, the enlarged lymph nodes and the enlargement of the spleen can last for much longer. And especially in teenagers and young adults, the fatigue and the weakness of mono can last for months. One important thing about mono, children with mono should avoid sports for at least a month after the symptoms have gone. The reason for this is that the spleen often enlarges temporarily during the course of the illness, and an enlarged spleen can rupture easily causing bleeding, abdominal pain, and may even require emergency surgery. What about treatment for mono? Well, the best thing is plenty of rest, fluids, and symptomatic medications is needed. Things like acetaminophen or paracetamol, Ibuprofen, they can all help relieve the fever and the aching muscles. You should remember never to give aspirin to kids with a viral illness, because rarely it's been linked to a condition known as Reye's syndrome which may lead to liver failure and even to death. Can we prevent mono? Not yet. There's no vaccine.
Member Comments
by AlaskaGirl2 on October 20, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Hi, I'm Victori DeRoy, and I'm 15 I'm in highschool. I live in Kodiak,Alaska. And i have mono at the moment this would be my 2nd time. i had it my freshmen year now my sophmore year again. and im not a whore so i dont understand how i got it again its a pain. When i found out i had mono again this year i was extremely pissed off it was not a funny story. I thought i had strep throat one day because i couldn't talk or anything. So, my mother took me to the doctor i got tested for strep throat, but when i got the form back it said negative for strep throat and possitive for mono! My exact words were, " Oh, my god what the hell not again!" My life sucks right now i was in school today about to fall over so i left. I'm so tired i dont know what do about it! I need like serious addvice please email me vickyd_055@hotmail.com i need help. i feel horrible like im dying.
by AlaskaGirl2 on October 20, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Hello, my name is Victoria DeRoy! I'm 15 and i have mono right now for the 2nd in the past year again yes it sucks it's not a jolly experience it's bullshit actually ! i dont know what to do about it this time its worse than ever im exhausted i had to dtich school because im soo tired my life sucks i feel like im about to blackout during school. i need advice and help please email me at vickyd_055@hotmail.com please, im like freaking outt!