Infectious mononucleosis is characterized by swollen lymph glands, fever, sore throat, and extreme fatigue. Symptoms can take between 4 to 6 weeks to appear and usually do not last beyond 4 months. Transmission is impossible to prevent because even symptom-free people can carry the virus in their saliva. In the U. This is a very common virus.
When children are infected with the virus, they usually do not experience any noticeable symptoms. However, uninfected adolescents and young adults who come in contact with the virus may develop an illness very similar to infectious mononucleosis. However, even after the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis have disappeared, the EBV will remain dormant in the throat and blood cells during that person's lifetime. The virus can reactivate periodically, however, usually without symptoms.
Mononucleosis usually lasts for 1 to 2 months. The following are the most common symptoms of mononucleosis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. They might also check the upper left part of your stomach to determine if your spleen is enlarged.
Sometimes your doctor will request a complete blood count. This blood test will help determine how severe your illness is by looking at your levels of various blood cells. For example, a high lymphocyte count often indicates an infection. A mono infection typically causes your body to produce more white blood cells as it tries to defend itself. One of the most reliable ways to diagnose mononucleosis is the monospot test or heterophile test. This blood test looks for antibodies —these are proteins your immune system produces in response to harmful elements.
These are called heterophile antibodies. At this point, you would have sufficient amounts of heterophile antibodies to trigger a reliable positive response. If your monospot test comes back negative, your doctor might order an EBV antibody test. This blood test looks for EBV-specific antibodies. This test can detect mono as early as the first week you have symptoms, but it takes longer to get the results.
However, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid medication to reduce throat and tonsil swelling. The symptoms usually resolve on their own in 1 to 2 months. Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if you have intense abdominal pain. Learn more about treating mono. Treatment at home is aimed at easing your symptoms.
This includes using over-the-counter OTC medicines to reduce fever and techniques to calm a sore throat, such as gargling salt water. Find out more about home remedies for mono. Mono is typically not serious. In some cases, people who have mono get secondary infections such as strep throat , sinus infections , or tonsillitis. In rare cases, some people may develop the following complications:. You should wait at least 1 month before doing any vigorous activities, lifting heavy objects, or playing contact sports to avoid rupturing your spleen, which may be swollen from the infection.
A ruptured spleen in people who have mono is rare, but it is a life-threatening emergency. Call your doctor immediately if you have mono and experience a sharp, sudden pain in the upper left part of your abdomen. Hepatitis liver inflammation or jaundice yellowing of the skin and eyes may occasionally occur in people who have mono.
Mono symptoms like fatigue, fever, and a sore throat usually last for a few weeks. In rare cases, the symptoms can flare up months or even years later. EBV, which usually is what causes a mono infection, remains in your body for the rest of your life. It occurs less commonly in adults over the age of Older adults with mono will usually have a fever but may not have other symptoms such as a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, or an enlarged spleen.
Children can become infected with mono by sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or by being near an infected person who coughs or sneezes. Because children may only have mild symptoms, such as a sore throat, a mono infection may go undiagnosed. Children who are diagnosed with mono can usually continue to attend school or day care. They may need to avoid some physical activities while they recover.
Children with mono should wash their hands frequently, especially after sneezing or coughing. Learn more about the mono symptoms in children. Most people are infected with EBV early in life.
As with older children, toddlers can become infected with mono by sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses. They can also become infected by putting toys in their mouths that have been in the mouths of other children with mono.
Toddlers with mono rarely have any symptoms. If they do have a fever and sore throat, it may be mistaken for a cold or the flu. Results: Total number of examined children was , out of which Affected children were most commonly younger than eight years. Boys were affected more often. There was no difference in frequency of high temperature, sore throat, bad breath, and respiratory symptomatology between examined children.
Differences were discovered in frequency of stomachaches, eyelid swelling, skin rash and fatigue.
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