 Infectious Mononucleosis
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The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may cause infectious mononucleosis in adolescents and young adults. However, even after the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis have disappeared, the EBV will remain dormant in the throat and blood cells during that person's lifetime. The virus can reactivate periodically, however, usually without symptoms.
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Infectious mononucleosis, also known as mononucleosis, "mono," or glandular fever, is characterized by swollen lymph glands and chronic fatigue.
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Infectious mononucleosis is either caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or the cytomegalovirus, both of which are members of the herpes simplex virus family. Consider the following statistics:
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- Approximately 95 percent of adults in the US between the ages of 35 and 40 have been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus, which is a very common virus. When children are infected with the virus, they usually do not experience any noticeable symptoms. However, uninfected adolescents and young adults who come in contact with the virus may develop infectious mononucleosis in nearly 50 percent of exposures.
- The cytomegalovirus is actually a group of viruses in the herpes simplex virus family that often cause cells to enlarge. About 80 percent of adults who are infected with the cytomegalovirus usually do not develop symptoms.
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What are the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis?
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Mononucleosis usually lasts for one to two months. The following are the most common symptoms of mononucleosis. However, each adolescent may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
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- fever
- swollen lymph glands in the neck, armpits, and groin
- constant fatigue
- sore throat due to tonsillitis, which often makes swallowing difficult
- enlarged spleen
- liver involvement, such as mild liver damage that can cause temporary jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and eye whites due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin (bile pigmentation) in the bloodstream
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Once a person has had mononucleosis, the virus remains dormant in the throat and blood cells for the rest of that person's life. Once a person has been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus, a person is usually not at risk for developing mononucleosis again.
The symptoms of the mononucleosis may resemble other medical conditions. Always consult your adolescent's physician for a diagnosis.
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In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination of your adolescent, a diagnosis of mononucleosis is usually based on reported symptoms. However, diagnosis can be confirmed with specific blood tests and other laboratory tests, including the following:
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- white blood cell count
- heterophile antibody test or monospot test, which, if positive, indicates infectious mononucleosis
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Mononucleosis is often spread through contact with infected saliva from the mouth. Symptoms can take between four to six weeks to appear and usually do not last beyond four months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Transmission is impossible to prevent, according to the CDC, because even symptom-free people can carry the virus in their saliva.
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Specific treatment for infectious mononucleosis will be determined by your adolescent's physician based on:
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- your adolescent's age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the condition
- your adolescent's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the condition
- your opinion or preference
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- rest for about one month (to give the body's immune system time to destroy the virus)
- corticosteroids (to reduce swelling of the throat and tonsils)
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