Don't you feel like you're going to die, you can't even get out of bed, and then you have a fever and a sore throat? Especially if you're young, if these symptoms haven't subsided for weeks, it could be more than just a simple cold. Today we're going to talk about one such condition. It's mononucleosis, or 'mono' as we colloquially call it. Some people affectionately call it the "Kissing Disease." Why is it called that, what is it really, and should we be afraid? Let's talk about all of this today.
Simply put, what is mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis is a highly contagious viral infection. It most commonly affects young people, especially those of school and college age. However, it can also affect young children. It is mainly caused by a virus called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) .
There's a reason it's called the "Kissing Disease." That's because the virus is easily transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids like saliva. But don't worry, for most people, it's not a serious illness. It usually goes away on its own over time, even without treatment. However, the fatigue and body aches that come with it can interfere with your schoolwork, campus work, work, and daily activities. These discomforts can last for about a month.
What are the symptoms of 'mono'?
The symptoms of mono can vary from person to person. Some people may have very mild symptoms, while others may have more severe symptoms. They don't appear all at once, but develop gradually. Symptoms usually start to appear four to six weeks after you've been exposed to the virus.
The table below lists the most common symptoms.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Fatigue | This is the main symptom. You feel so tired that you can't even get out of bed. |
| Fever | A fever that lasts for several days may occur. |
| Sore throat | Your throat may hurt so much that you can't even swallow food. It's like your tonsils are swollen. |
| Swollen lymph nodes | Swollen lumps on the neck, armpits, or groin. |
| Headache and body aches | I constantly have headaches, my muscles hurt, and my body feels lifeless. |
| Appetite | I lose all desire to eat. |
| Skin rash | Some people can be bothered by the red color on their bodies. |
| Swelling of the spleen or liver | The spleen or liver, which is located on the upper left side of the abdomen, may be swollen. This is something to be concerned about. |
How is this disease transmitted?
As we mentioned earlier, the viruses that cause this, especially EBV, are very contagious. They are spread through contact with bodily fluids, especially saliva, of an infected person.
Here are some ways that mono can be spread:
- Kissing: This is the main cause of what is called "Kissing Disease".
- Sharing food, drinks, and utensils: By using a water bottle, cup, or spoon that an infected person has drunk from.
- Coughing and sneezing: From droplets of saliva that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Sexual contact: It can also be transmitted through this, but it is not as common as through saliva.
- Blood transfusions and organ transplants: These are very rare.
The important thing is that you can still catch this virus from someone who is not showing symptoms, because some people have the virus in their bodies but don't show any symptoms.
Can 'mono' occur twice?
Usually not. Even after your mono symptoms have gone away, the EBV virus remains in your body in an inactive state. But most people only get mono once in their lifetime.
However, rarely, the virus can reactivate. Even then, symptoms usually do not appear. But you can still spread the virus to others. If you have a weak immune system, you may be able to get sick a second time.
Are there any dangerous complications that can arise from this?
Yes. When we develop 'mono', the thing we should be most concerned about is the swelling of the spleen . The spleen is an organ located on the upper left side of our abdomen. It filters and purifies our blood.
When you have mono, your spleen can become swollen and slightly enlarged. If you do strenuous exercise or contact sports, lift heavy objects, fall suddenly, or get hit in the stomach, this swollen spleen can rupture .
A ruptured spleen is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical treatment because it can cause severe bleeding into the abdomen, requiring emergency surgery.
So, if you have mono, you should completely stop playing sports, lifting weights, and doing strenuous activities until your doctor gives you the okay. This is very important.
How does a doctor diagnose this? What is the treatment?
When you go to see a doctor, he will listen carefully to your symptoms, especially checking to see if your neck is swollen, or if your spleen or liver are swollen.
In addition, a blood test may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. This blood test can check for antibodies your body makes against the EBV virus. It can also check your white blood cell count to see if there is an infection.
So what is the treatment for this?
There is no specific treatment for mono. Since it is a virus, antibiotics will not help. The treatment is to control the symptoms and provide you with relief.
| What to do | Why is that? |
|---|---|
| Get plenty of rest. | Mono can make you feel very tired. When you get enough sleep and rest, your body has the energy to fight the infection. |
| Drink plenty of fluids. | Drink plenty of fluids like water, soup, and fruit juice. It is important to prevent dehydration. |
| Take painkillers. | You can take a painkiller like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen (NSAIDs) for fever, headache, and body aches. But be sure to ask your doctor before taking any medication. |
| Sore throat relief | Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. You can also use something like Strepsils to soothe your throat. |
| Avoid sports and exercise. | We've said this before. Due to the risk of a ruptured spleen, you should definitely avoid sports and strenuous activities until you are fully healed (about 4 weeks). |
When should you see a doctor?
If you develop any of the symptoms below while at home with mono, see a doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
- If you experience severe, sharp pain in the upper left part of your abdomen (this could be a sign of a ruptured spleen).
- If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- If you feel dizzy or faint.
- If you feel extreme weakness in your arms and legs.
- Persistent high fever.
- If you get a severe, unbearable headache.
In a situation like this, don't delay. It's safest to seek medical advice immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Mononucleosis is a common viral infection, especially in young people.
- The main cause of this is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is also called the "Kissing Disease" because it is easily transmitted through bodily fluids such as saliva.
- The main symptoms are extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen glands in the neck.
- There is no specific treatment for this. The only treatment is good rest, drinking fluids, and treating the symptoms.
- The most dangerous complication is a ruptured spleen. Therefore, avoid sports, heavy lifting, and strenuous activities completely until the illness has resolved.
- If you experience symptoms such as severe pain in the upper left part of your abdomen and difficulty breathing, see a doctor immediately.
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