Mononucleosis is an infectious disease caused by the herpes virus. It is also referred to as mono or glandular fever. Epstein-Barr virus is the common virus that causes mononucleosis. It is difficult to prevent the herpes virus. Though mononucleosis is not a severe disease, its symptoms may cause discomfort to patients. Mononucleosis is more common among teenagers, though it can also affect adults.
How Does Mononucleosis Occur?
Mononucleosis or mono can occur due to infection from the herpes virus. The virus may spread from an infected person to a healthy person. Mono is also known as the kissing disease as it may occur on contact with the saliva of an infected person. A cough or a sneeze and sharing food may also transfer mono to another person.
Doctors perform blood tests to confirm antibodies developed against the virus in case of mono. The mono spot test may not be accurate during the first week of infection from the virus. Blood count test and other tests may also be performed to confirm a diagnosis of mono.
What Can Be Signs of Mono?
Signs of mono include a fever of 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Tonsils and reddened throat are also common signs of mono. A whitish coating on the tonsils is among other symptoms. Mono or glandular fever may cause swelling of lymph nodes on both sides of the neck. Enlargement of spleen and fatigue can be some potential symptoms.
Red colored rashes on the body may also be symptoms of infection of this virus due to glandular fever. Other symptoms may include swelling of upper eyelids. Signs like fatigue and spleen enlargement may last for a few weeks or more though other common symptoms may clear up within a few days.
What are the Symptoms of Mononucleosis?
Symptoms of mononucleosis may take four to six weeks to appear. Diagnosis of mononucleosis is usually done based on symptoms like sore throat, fever, and swelling of lymph glands. Swelling may occur in arms, neck, and the groin. After two to three weeks of infection by the virus, spleen enlargement may occur.
Spleen enlargement has been found to affect almost half the patients of mononucleosis. Symptoms of mononucleosis may last for only one to four weeks, but a patient may need around two months to be able perform daily activities. Other signs and symptoms associated with mononucleosis are:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Swelling
- Fatigue
- Skin rash
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- White patches on the throat
- Headache
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