MONONUCLEOSIS, INFECTIOUS (Mono; "Kissing Disease") |
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General Information
DEFINITION--An infectious viral disease that affects the respiratory system, liver and lymphatic system. Mononucleosis causes spleen enlargement, making athletic activity dangerous.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Fever.
Sore throat (sometimes severe).
Appetite loss.
Fatigue.
Swollen lymph glands, usually in the neck, underarms or groin.
Enlarged spleen or liver.
Jaundice with yellow skin and eyes (sometimes).
Headache.
General aching.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORSA contagious virus (Epstein-Barr virus) that is transmitted from person to person by close contact, such as kissing, shared food or coughing. The following factors increase the risk of getting mononucleosis:
Stress.
Illness that has lowered resistance.
Fatigue or overwork. The high incidence among college students, athletes and military recruits may result from inadequate rest and crowded living conditions.
HOW TO PREVENT
Avoid contact with persons having infectious mononucleosis.
Vaccine (possibly). This is still in the experimental stages.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and exam by a doctor.
Laboratory blood tests.
SURGERYNot necessary nor useful for this illness, unless a ruptured spleen must be removed (rare).
NORMAL COURSE OF ILLNESS Spontaneous recovery in 10 days to 6 months. Most previously healthy athletes usually have about 3 weeks of disability. Fatigue frequently persists for 3 to 6 weeks after other symptoms disappear.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Meningitis or encephalitis (rare).
Misdiagnosis as a streptococcal sore throat.
Ruptured spleen, requiring emergency surgery.
Destruction or rupture of red blood cells, requiring critical emergency treatment.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
MEDICAL TREATMENTNot usually necessary after diagnosis.
HOME TREATMENT
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 cause bleeding in or rupture of an enlarged spleen.
MEDICATION
For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen. Don't take aspirin because of its possible association with Reye's syndrome.
If symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe a short course of corticosteroid drugs.
ACTIVITY
Rest in bed, especially when you have fever. Resume activity gradually. Rest when you are fatigued.
Return to full activity when cleared by your doctor. This will usually be when fever has disappeared, when you have regained any lost weight due to illness, and when your sleep pattern has returned to normal.
If the spleen remains enlarged after other symptoms resolve, return to exercise only after a doctor's clearance. Don't return to contact or collision sports until the spleen is normal size.
DIET
No special diet. Eat as heartily as possible. 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.
Any of the following occur 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.
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