Have you been feeling unbelievably tired, lethargic , and have a sore throat for days? You might think it's just a common cold. But, especially if you're young, it could also be a disease called " Mononucleosis ." This is also what we call the "Kissing Disease." Don't worry, we'll talk about everything in simple terms today.
What is Mononucleosis?
Simply put, Mononucleosis is a viral infection. It is most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV ) . It is mainly spread through saliva. That is why it is also called the “Kissing Disease” because it can be spread by kissing someone. It can also be spread by sharing a cup or eating with someone who has the disease.
Although this is a contagious disease, it is not as contagious as the common cold. Most of the time, it is not a serious illness, but sometimes it can be dangerous due to complications . Once you get this disease, you may not be able to do your normal activities for several weeks.
Think about it, many of us get infected with the EBV virus when we are young. But not all of them develop mononucleosis. It is possible for this virus to be present in the body throughout life without any symptoms.
How is this disease transmitted?
As we mentioned earlier, the main route is through saliva . In addition, it can also be transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood and semen . Therefore, it is also possible to transmit it through medical procedures such as blood donation , organ transplantation , and, in rare cases, through sexual intercourse.
How long is this disease contagious?
You can spread the virus to others even before you have symptoms. It can take a month or two for symptoms to appear. You are definitely contagious while you have symptoms. Doctors believe that you can spread it to others for several months after your symptoms have gone.
Can a person get this disease twice?
Usually not. If you get mononucleosis from the EBV virus, the virus stays in your body for life. But you won't get symptoms again. However, if your immune system is weakened (for example, due to a disease like HIV) or if you get mononucleosis from another virus (for example, cytomegalovirus), symptoms may come back.
What are the symptoms of this?
The symptoms of mononucleosis can vary from person to person. Some people may have no symptoms at all, while others may have only very mild symptoms.
| Common symptoms | Rarely seen symptoms |
|---|---|
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Most people recover within 2 to 4 weeks, but sometimes fatigue can last for several weeks, sometimes up to 6 months.
Importantly, sometimes taking antibiotics for a sore throat can cause a red rash on the face and body, similar to measles. This can be a symptom of mononucleosis.
How does a doctor recognize this?
When you go to see a doctor, he will first listen carefully to your symptoms. Then he will examine your throat, neck lymph nodes, and spleen to see if they are swollen.
To confirm the disease, several blood tests can be done:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): This can check the number of white blood cells in your blood and whether they have any abnormalities.
- Antibody test: This test can confirm whether your body has produced antibodies against the EBV virus.
Don't confuse mono and strep throat!
Mononucleosis (Mono) and Strep throat both have common symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. However, Mono is caused by a virus, while Strep throat is caused by a bacteria . Sometimes, both can occur together. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor to find out exactly what is wrong.
Are there any complications to be concerned about?
Yes, although rare, serious complications can occur due to mononucleosis. It is important to be aware of these.
- Tonsil swelling: The tonsils can become very swollen, causing difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- Enlarged spleen: This is the most dangerous complication. The spleen is an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen. If it becomes enlarged, it can rupture. If this happens, you will suddenly experience severe, sharp pain in the upper left part of the abdomen. This is a medical emergency! If this happens, you should go to the emergency room (ETU) of a hospital immediately. You may also need surgery.
- Liver problems: Conditions such as hepatitis or jaundice may occur.
- Blood problems: This can include things like red blood cell destruction or a decrease in platelets.
- Heart problems: Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or irregular heartbeat may occur.
- Nervous system problems: Rare complications such as seizures, encephalitis, or meningitis may occur.
If your immune system is weakened (e.g. due to HIV/AIDS or taking other medications), you are at higher risk of developing these complications.
What are the treatments for this? What can I do at home?
There is no specific treatment for mononucleosis. Since it is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help. The best thing to do is to let your body fight the illness on its own and get better. Here are some things you can do to help:
- Get as much rest as possible: This is the most important thing. Get enough sleep and rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Drink plenty of things like water, soup, and fruit juice.
- Painkillers: You can take a painkiller like paracetamol for fever and body aches. But talk to your doctor before taking any medication.
- Gargling with hot water: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water and gargle with that water to relieve a sore throat.
Very important: Do not play any sports, lift weights, or do any strenuous work until the illness is over and for about a month after. Because your spleen may be swollen at that time, and the risk of it bursting even with a small fall is high. Also, avoid drinking alcohol completely during this time. Because this illness can affect the liver, drinking alcohol can further damage the liver.
Take-Home Message
- Mononucleosis is a disease mainly caused by the EBV virus and is transmitted through saliva. It is also known as the “Kissing Disease” among us.
- Getting plenty of rest is the best treatment for this. There is no specific medicine to cure the disease.
- Avoid sports and heavy lifting during the healing period and for about a month afterwards. Avoid alcohol completely.
- If you suddenly experience severe, sharp pain in the upper left abdomen, it could be a sign of a ruptured spleen. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If you suspect you have symptoms of mononucleosis, always see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and advice.
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