What exactly is mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis (mono) is a contagious infection caused by a herpes virus called Epstein-Barr. Other viruses can also cause mono. The infection is common among teenagers and young adults. People with mono experience extreme fatigue, fever and body aches.
Why is it called mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis was the name coined by Sprunt and Evans (Sprunt 1920) to describe a syndrome that resembled an acute infectious disease accompanied by atypical large peripheral blood lymphocytes.
What are the two types of mononucleosis?
Ninety percent of cases of infectious mononucleosis are caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Two major strains of EBV exist; EBV type-1 and EBV type-2. They differ biologically and in their geographic distribution, but cause the same clinical symptoms.
How can you get mononucleosis?
Mono, or infectious mononucleosis, is caused by an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV spreads through direct contact with saliva (spit). This can happen by sharing eating utensils, drinks, and even things like lip gloss, lipstick, or lip balm.
What mono looks like?
The common signs of mono include swollen, red tonsils, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, and a fever that ranges from 102°F to 104°F. About one-third of people who have mono have a whitish coating on their tonsils. Approximately 50% of people with mono have swollen spleens.
What other names are used to describe infectious mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis (IM, mono), also known as glandular fever, is an infection usually caused by the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV).
What type of virus is mononucleosis?
Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV, is one of the most common human viruses in the world. It spreads primarily through saliva. EBV can cause infectious mononucleosis, also called mono, and other illnesses. Most people will get infected with EBV in their lifetime and will not have any symptoms.
Is mono an autoimmune disease?
Scientists have known for decades that EBV, which causes an infectious disease named mononucleosis or “kissing disease,” is also linked to several autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Does mono ruin your life?
“Mono” is a contagious illness that occurs most often in teens and young adults. It’s caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, one of the most common human viruses. “Epstein-Barr virus infects over 90 percent of adults, and the infection lasts for a lifetime,” said study lead author Dr. John Harley.
What can be used to diagnose mononucleosis?
The monospot (heterophile antibody test) is an older test that is commonly used to make the mono diagnosis. A positive monospot test accompanied by the symptoms of mono helps confirm a diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. However, the CDC says the monospot test is no longer recommended because it produces too many inaccurate results.
How do you diagnose mononucleosis?
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. However, it doesn’t look for EBV antibodies.
What does mononucleosis feel like?
The most common symptoms of mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands in the neck, under the arms, and in the groin area. Other symptoms include the following: In addition to these symptoms, the spleen (an abdominal organ that stores and filters blood) may become enlarged.
How do you know you have mononucleosis?
a headache