Myths and details about mononucleosis (mono)
Have you ever heard of mononucleosis, or mono, referred to as “the kissing disease?”
There’s some confusion and misinformation about precisely how youngsters and teenagers get mono, says Dr. Delma Nieves, a pediatric infectious illness specialist at CHOC.
Here, she clears up some truths and falsehoods about mono and affords remedy and prevention ideas.
Myths about mononucleosis (mono)
Myth: You could be vaccinated towards mono.
There isn’t any vaccine for mononucleosis. Mono is attributable to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), for which there is no such thing as a vaccine.
Myth: Kids and adolescents get mono solely from kissing.
Mono could be unfold in just a few alternative ways, not simply from kissing.
Because Epstein-Barr is an airborne virus, it’s handed by “droplet spread,” Dr. Nieves says.
Specifically, mono is unfold by contact with the saliva of an contaminated individual by kissing, coughing, sneezing, sharing consuming utensils or sharing drinks.
Myth: Antibiotics will knock out mono.
There aren’t any antibiotics that work properly towards the mono virus, says Dr. Nieves.
Instead, somebody with mono ought to deal with their signs with a lot of relaxation; salt water gargling and throat lozenges to assuage a sore throat; and acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help related aches and pains if wanted.
Myth: Mono is a light illness which you could ignore.
Mono could be pretty gentle, however hardly ever it may have issues which could be very severe, Dr. Nieves says.
Mono is a typical reason for extended fevers. Mono could cause hepatitis, which is irritation of the liver. It may additionally enlarge the spleen, making contact sports activities off-limits till the affected person is cleared by a physician. Rarely, Mono may trigger irritation of the center, which may result in coronary heart failure.
If your baby displays signs of mono, contact your pediatrician for an correct prognosis.
Facts about mononucleosis (mono)
Fact: Mononucleosis is a viral an infection.
Mononucleosis is a viral an infection attributable to the Epstein-Barr virus. It’s a typical virus most youngsters and teenagers get uncovered to at a while whereas rising up.
Most individuals first turn out to be contaminated by family transmission, similar to from mother and father or siblings. In the United States, about 90% of adults have been contaminated. Most individuals have a light an infection however some individuals, particularly teenagers and younger adults who turn out to be newly contaminated, can develop a extra severe case, says Dr. Nieves.
Fact: Symptoms of mono could be mistaken for different sicknesses.
Signs of mono often present up one to 2 months after somebody is contaminated with the virus. The commonest signs could also be mistaken for strep throat or the flu, says Dr. Nieves.
Most individuals go in to see their healthcare supplier due to the fatigue and sore throat from the tonsils getting infected. Mono could be confused with different viruses like strep throat.
If you observed your baby has mono signs, name your pediatrician. They can do an examination to rule out different sicknesses.
Fact: Mono signs are often gentle, however may also be extreme.
Common signs of mononucleosis embrace excessive fever, extreme sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and tonsils and muscle weak spot or fatigue.
Infants and younger youngsters contaminated with EBV virus often have very gentle signs or none in any respect. But contaminated teenagers and younger adults typically develop the signs that outline mono.
Additional signs may additionally be seen in extreme mono instances, similar to pores and skin rashes or stomach ache with a larger-than-normal liver or spleen (an organ within the higher left a part of the stomach).
Fact: The finest remedy for mono is relaxation.
The finest remedy for mono is relaxation and loads of fluids. That’s all you are able to do, and to keep away from contact sports activities as a result of the spleen could also be enlarged making it extra prone to get injured, says Dr. Nieves.
Fact: Mono prevention is rather like flu prevention.
You can do the identical issues to forestall mono as you’d to forestall the flu, like washing your arms, training good hygiene, getting loads of sleep and avoiding shut contact with anybody who has it.
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