“Mono” is the common name for mononucleosis, and is sometimes referred to as the “kissing disease”.
Does this mean that I have to kiss someone to get the disease? No, but you do have to come into contact with their saliva, so not only can kissing pass this infection but also sharing food, eating utensils, drinks, toothbrushes and lipstick/lip gloss/chap stick can spread it. You cannot get mono just by causal contact with someone.
If I’ve been exposed to this infection I can expect to see symptoms in a few days to a week right? Wrong, it takes 4 to 6 weeks after contracting the infection to see the symptoms.
So if I get mono what type of symptoms can I expect? Symptoms can vary, but may include a fever, nausea, loss of appetite, headache, and a severe sore throat. Fatigue is usually thought of as the hallmark sign of mono, but this is not always the case for everyone.
You can get tested for mono – right? Yes there are 2 tests for mono. One can be done in most doctor’s offices and it takes about 10 minutes to get the results. You have to have had symptoms for at least 5 days before this test can be used. The other test needs to be done at a lab and may take a few days to get the results.
How do you treat mono? Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, so antibiotics will not be useful. You may take over the counter medications to help relieve some of the symptoms if you like. Occasionally a doctor will prescribe a steroid medication, such as Prednisone, if your tonsils are severely enlarged. Make sure you are getting plenty of rest, and that you are drinking liquids. In some people their spleen can become enlarged with this illness, therefore you should avoid all contact sports until your physician says it is safe to play.
How long am I going to be ill? It is hard to give an exact time frame with this infection. Some people can be sick for 4 to 6 weeks. But in college age students the illness is usually milder and most are feeling better in about 2 weeks
I heard I can’t drink alcohol while I have this infection, is that true? Yes. While it is not advisable to drink when you have any infection, this is especially true when you have mono. This virus can cause your liver to work harder, and because your liver is what removes the alcohol from your body, this puts even more stress on your liver. You should refrain from drinking alcohol until you are completely well.
If I had mono once can I get it again? Most people only get mono once, but a small percentage of people they may get the infection again.
Should I quarantine myself if I mono? You do not have to seclude yourself off from others if you have this infection. Just remember that the infection is spread in your saliva and the virus can remain there for a month after you are feeling better.
Are there any complications from having mono? For most people mono is not a serious illness. There are a few people that may develop other infections because of having mono, may develop an enlarged spleen, or inflammation of their liver. So if your symptoms are getting worse, you develop abdominal pain, or your skin or the whites of your eye look yellow, seek medical attention immediately.
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