Mononucleosis, or mono, is also referred to as the kissing disease because it is contagious. So, know the symptoms of mononucleosis.
Kissing can elevate your happy hormones and is full of benefits to your health but can also transfer bacteria and viruses. Mononucleosis gets its nickname because the virus responsible for it usually passes through saliva; hence, it is tagged as the ‘kissing disease.’ Although infecting people of all age brackets, it vastly targets teenagers and young adults.
Mono navigates its way around through saliva, and the infection is more prevalent in teenagers and young adults with the Epstein-Barr virus as the major cause. It is a very highly infectious viral illness that may be spread by kissing, sharing utensils, and other forms of close contact. Mononucleosis symptoms are essential to know because it is contagious.
the Epstein-Barr virus represents the Epstein-Barr virus, of the herpesvirus family. EBV is very contagious, and one becomes infected through contact with saliva, mucus, and sometimes even tears of an infected person. Mononucleosis is transferred by very close association with someone who has the infection, for example, by kissing or sharing utensils. Other means through which mono transmits include coughing, sneezing, or sharing personal objects like toothbrushes or glasses.
Symptoms Of Kissing Disease
1. Fatigue: One feels very exhausted with this illness; many people experience chronic weakness for several weeks or even months while others stay weak for as long as two years. The fatigue makes everyday activities very difficult, and normal rest does not alleviate it.
2. Sore throat: Mono can cause an extremely high pain in the throat where one experiences painful swallowing. The throat will redden, swell, and also obtain white spots or pus on the tonsils.
3. Mono causes swollen and tender lymph nodes, particularly in the neck and armpit areas, as a response by the body.
4. Fever: Those with mono often have a low-grade fever that becomes persistent for several days or even weeks. This is related to this active immune system response against a virus.
5. Headache: Headaches of variable intensity were common in most patients. It often comes with general forms of fatigue with muscular aches.
6. Muscle pains: This may cause generalised muscle ache and weakness, which is again bound to exacerbate fatigue.
7. Skin rashes: Mono can occasionally cause a red, spotty type rash, especially when one is on antibiotics. In most cases, the rash consists of small, flat pink blotches on the limbs or trunk.
Treatment For Mononucleosis
Most of the treatment for mono involves symptomatic management of the process and support of natural recovery, as there is no specific cure.
In most cases, doctors recommend getting plenty of rest, keeping themselves hydrated by drinking more than usual amount of fluids, and taking over-the-counter fever reducers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce the fever and alleviate pain.
Corticosteroid medications are prescribed by the treating doctor to the more severe cases to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Recovery from mono can vary in contrast and may take weeks or months. While most symptoms, like weariness and sore throat, begin to improve after weeks, the tiredness may not clear up completely for months.
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