Don’t let Valentine’s Day leave you lovesick.
Infectious mononucleosis often called “mono” or the “kissing disease,” is a sickness caused by a viral infection, typically the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is one of the most common types of human viruses and part of the herpes family. One in four teens and young adults who contract EBV will go on to develop mono. EBV and the other types of mono-causing infections are usually spread through bodily fluids. According to the CDC, the virus is known to be transmitted through saliva, but can also be spread through blood and semen during sex, blood transfusions, and organ transplants.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mono usually appear around four to six weeks after you get infected by EBV. The Mayo Clinic lists the common symptoms as:
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes and tonsils
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Swollen spleen
Treatment & Prevention
You can help relieve the symptoms above by drinking fluids, getting plenty of rest, and taking over-the-counter pain and fever medication. Most people feel better in two to four weeks.
There currently isn’t a vaccine to protect you from mono, but if someone you know is infected, it’s important not to kiss or share food, dishes, glasses, utensils, and other personal items.
If you’ve been experiencing mono-like symptoms that don’t get better on their own in a week or two, please visit one of our clinics. Patient Plus has in-house blood testing available that only takes about 15 minutes to get results. Get in, Get better!