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Mononucleosis: Diseases
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Mononucleosis is sometimes called the “kissing disease,†because at one time the virus was thought to be transmitted by kissing. The virus can be found in the saliva of those who have the disease, so there may be some truth in the belief.
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The vast majority of individuals that experience mononucleosis experience a full recovery with no complications. However, in rare instances, serious problems related to the disease may transpire. For instance, a patient may develop hemolytic anemia or other disorders of the blood if the bone marrow fails to produce enough red and white blood cells or if the body begins destroying either of these cell types as a result of infection. The Epstein-Barr virus that causes mononucleosis ... can occasionally lead to a condition known as Bell’s palsy, in which the facial muscles on one side of the body may become unusually weak or even temporarily paralyzed, or to Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is characterized by a more general paralysis of the muscles. Other possible complications include inflammation or other involvement of the heart, spleen, and central nervous system.
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Diagnosis of mononucleosis follows the exhibition of a large number of abnormal white blood cells (lymphocytes) on microscopic blood examination. These blood cells have a single nucleus that give the disease its name. Symptoms are varied but include enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, fever, enlarged spleen in about half the cases, and excessive fatigue. Occasional rashes and throat and mouth infections occur. Liver inflammation is common. Fatalities are very rare and, when they do occur, usually result from splenic rupture.
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Symptoms play an important role in the diagnosis of mononucleosis. But because this disease can masquerade as other diseases, symptoms can be misleading. They may resemble, for instance, the sore throat of a "strep" infection, the painful stiff neck of meningitis, the abdominal pains of acute appendicitis, the cough and throat lesions of diphtheria, the rash of rubella or measles, or the swollen lymph glands seen in certain forms of cancer. Rapid and inexpensive blood tests can detect heterophil antibodies in about 80 percent of persons with a current or recent infection. These antibodies can appear in sufficient strength to give a positive diagnosis as early as the fourth day and generally by the 21st day of illness. Heterophil antibodies can persist for months... so their appearance does not prove current infection.
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Mononucleosis is usually acquired by contact with the saliva or mucus of a person who is infected with the disease. (Mononucleosis is ... known as the "kissing disease," because it can be acquired through kissing.) Occasionally, it can be spread by coughing or sneezing, or when an infected person shares food or tableware with another person.
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As with prevention, there is no treatment for mononucleosis. However, like other virus-based diseases (such as the common cold) mono will usually run its course and cure itself. Until it does, therapy is generally confined to treating the symptoms, including bedrest, drinking plenty of fluids, using cough drops, and gargling with warm, salty water. Aspirin, acetaminophen-based products (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen-based products (such as Advil) will help control fever. But under no circumstances should aspirin be given to children, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a very serious and sometimes fatal condition.
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