What is Mono?

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What is Mono? ‘“ The Kissing Disease

Mono is an infectious disease, which is a short term for mononucleosis. Mono is also popular in its other name the ‘kissing disease’. Although it is called a kissing disease, mono is not only transmitted by kissing. The disease is caused by Epstein – Barr virus (EBV), a type of herpes virus. Herpes family has other virus that can cause cold sores and chicken pox.

Having an infection from EBV may cause symptoms of fever, fatigue, malaise, and sore throat. Mononucleosis means that there is an abnormal increase of the lymphocytes in the bloodstream. Lymphocyte is a type of white blood cells. The unusual increase of lymphocytes is a result of the EBV infection.

Do Kids get Mono?

Younger kids do get mono too. However, most people get mono between the age of 15 and 25. When a person catches mono, the virus will affect the lymph nodes, salivary glands, throat, liver, spleen and blood. As a result, a person may feel tired and his whole body may feel pain. One’s appetite may also be affected by mono virus. Losing appetite may affect your nutrition intake.

People are often familiar with lymph nodes and salivary glands, which are seen inside the mouth. However, spleen may be a bit new or unusual to most people, especially the children. Most children are not that familiar with the spleen. Majority of children may not even know where the spleen is located. At the left side of the abdomen, just below the rib cage, it is where the spleen is located.

The spleen has a distinct function and it is to help cleanse the blood of bacteria and viruses. However, if the spleen is affected by the EBV, what will happen to our body? This would result in a more serious health problem. Worst, mono is contagious.

Being contagious would mean that an infected person might spread the virus to other people who have not had mono before. As stated earlier, mono is also known as ‘kissing disease’, which means it can be transmitted by kissing. However, kissing is not the only way to transmit this infection.

The way to transmit the disease is through the saliva. Kissing is not the only means of transmitting saliva. You can transmit saliva through sharing pillows, sharing food using the same utensils or plates, straws, drinking in the same bottle or glass, and toothbrush. As long as it involves contact with saliva, it will be a sure way to transmit mono.

The dangerous thing about the mono disease is that a person will not immediately feel its effect or symptoms. A person carrying the disease will not think that he is transmitting the mono. However, if you feel you are carrying mono you should have fever, sore throat, headaches and muscle aches.

Once you feel the symptoms of mono, you should stay away from other people. You should need plenty of rest and take many fluids. You should see a doctor so you can be given the right medication. In a few weeks, mono will be gone. You can go back to your old routine but take it easy on your first week for your body is yet to recover.

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One Response

  1. mono contagious period

    September 15, 2011 2:16 am

    For the duration of mono to be contagious, depends on the person’s body on reacting upon the entry of the virus and the display of the symptoms. The mono contagious duration depends heavily on those factors.

    Reply

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