MONONUCLEOSIS, INFECTIOUS

General Information

DEFINITION--An infectious viral disease that affects the respiratory system, liver and lymphatic system.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Lymph nodes; liver; spleen; throat; bronchial tubes.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Adolescents and young adults (12 to 40 years).

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Fever.
• Sore throat (sometimes severe).
• Appetite loss.
• Fatigue.
• Swollen lymph glands, usually in the neck, underarms or groin.
• Enlarged spleen.
• Enlarged liver.
• Jaundice with yellow skin and eyes (sometimes).
• Headache.
• General aching.

CAUSES--A contagious virus (Epstein-Barr virus) transmitted from person to person by close contact, such as kissing, shared food or coughing.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Stress.
• Illness that has lowered resistance.
• Fatigue or overwork. The high incidence among college students and military recruits may result from inadequate rest and crowded living conditions.
• High school or college attendance.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Avoid contact with persons having infectious mononucleosis.
• If you have mononucleosis, avoid contact with persons with immune deficiencies to prevent them from getting mononucleosis.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory blood tests.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Ruptured spleen, resulting in emergency surgery (rare).
• In rare cases, the heart, lungs or central nervous system could become involved, and the disease may prove to be serious.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Spontaneous recovery in 10 days to 6 months. Fatigue frequently persists for 3 to 6 weeks after other symptoms disappear. A few patients experience a chronic form in which symptoms persist for months or years.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• No specific cure is available. Extra rest and healthy diet are important. No need for quarantine.
• To relieve the sore throat, gargle frequently with double-strength tea or warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt to 8 oz. of water).
• Don't strain hard for bowel movements. This may injure an enlarged spleen.
• If you are a student, check on ways to continue school work while you are recovering.

MEDICATION--

• For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen. Don't take aspirin because of its suspected association with Reye's syndrome.
• If symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe a short course of cortisone drugs.

ACTIVITY--

• Rest in bed while you have fever. Complete bed rest is normally not necessary or beneficial. Resume activity gradually.
• Don't participate in contact sports until at least 1 month after complete recovery or when your doctor gives approval.
• Avoid heavy lifting.

DIET--No special diet. You may not feel like eating while you are ill. Maintain an adequate fluid intake. Drink at least 8 glasses of water or juice a day--more during periods of high fever.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of infectious mononucleosis.
• The following occurs during treatment: Fever over 102F (38.9C). Constipation, which may cause straining. Severe pain in the upper left abdomen that lasts for 5 minutes or more. Swallowing or breathing difficulty from severe throat inflammation.