Infectious Mononucleosis

Also called: Glandular fever, Kissing disease, Mono, Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis, or "mono", is an infection usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus spreads through saliva, which is why it's sometimes called "kissing disease." Mono occurs most often in teens and young adults. However, you can get it at any age. Symptoms of mono include

Fever
Sore throat
Swollen lymph glands

Sometimes you may also have a swollen spleen. Serious problems are rare.

A blood test can show if you have mono. Most people get better in two to four weeks. However, you may feel tired for a few months afterward. Treatment focuses on helping symptoms and includes medicines for pain and fever, warm salt water gargles and plenty of rest and fluids.

Symptoms of Infectious Mononucleosis

The following features are indicative of Infectious Mononucleosis:

fever
sore throat
swollen lymph glands
extreme fatigue
head and body aches
swollen liver or spleen or both
rash

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Common Causes of Infectious Mononucleosis

The following are the most common causes of Infectious Mononucleosis:

epstein-Barr virus

Risk Factors for Infectious Mononucleosis

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Infectious Mononucleosis:

acute illness
cancer
autoimmune diseases

Prevention of Infectious Mononucleosis

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Infectious Mononucleosis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:

do not kiss infectious people
do not share food, drinks, or personal items like toothbrushes with infectious people

Occurrence of Infectious Mononucleosis

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Infectious Mononucleosis cases seen each year worldwide:

Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Infectious Mononucleosis can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Infectious Mononucleosis can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Infectious Mononucleosis

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Infectious Mononucleosis:

Physical exam: The doctor will look for signs and symptoms of mononucleosis
Antibody tests: To detect blood for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus
White blood cell count: To check white blood cell count

Doctor for Diagnosis of Infectious Mononucleosis

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Infectious Mononucleosis:

Infectious disease specialist

Complications of Infectious Mononucleosis if untreated

Yes, Infectious Mononucleosis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Infectious Mononucleosis is left untreated:

spleen enlargement
liver problems
swollen tonsils

Procedures for Treatment of Infectious Mononucleosis

The following procedures are used to treat Infectious Mononucleosis:

no methods available

Self-care for Infectious Mononucleosis

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Infectious Mononucleosis:

drink plenty of water and fruit juices
get plenty of bed rest

Patient Support for Treatment of Infectious Mononucleosis

The following actions may help Infectious Mononucleosis patients:

Seek the help of friends and family
Contact the campus student health center staff for assistance if you are a student

Time for Treatment of Infectious Mononucleosis

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Infectious Mononucleosis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:

In 1 - 4 weeks

Is Infectious Mononucleosis Infectious?

Yes, Infectious Mononucleosis is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:

intimate oral contact
bodily fluids like saliva
blood and semen during sexual contact
blood transfusions
organ transplantations

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.

This page provides information for Infectious Mononucleosis.