Mono 2
Mono 2Infectious Mononucleosis known popularly as "mono" is a infectious
disease caused by the Epstien-Barr virus in a estimated 90 percent of cases
( EBV ) a member of the herpes family. The remaining cases are caused by a
certain herpes virus, or cytomegalovirus. Mononucleosis is taken from the
name of the blood's mononuclear cells, white blood cells ( B cells ) increase
in the person blood stream when a person has this disease.
It is estimated that seventy to eighty percent involve persons between
the ages of 15 to 30. This disease is common in both men and women,
although it has been documented that this disease affects men slightly more
than women. Mononucleosis does not occur during any particular season as
does the common cold, although studies show that the most cases are
reported during the fall and spring.
The actual way that mononucleosis is passed is unknown,
although what is known is that the virus can travel in saliva which is the
primary source, therefore it may be spread through coughing , mouth to
mouth contact of mucous membranes during kissing. This is where the
common nickname was derived "the kissing disease". In rare cases this
disease may be transmitted through blood transfusions. The disease is usually
transmitted to family members, friends and people that you may go to school
with, rather then people that live in the same community.
People often come in contact with the disease or EBV bacteria at least
once in there life. Although symptoms are incredibly mild or they are not
present at all. When the disease is present in a persons blood stream it is only
contagious for the first two weeks . Although, the disease may be present for
the rest of a person's life, it discontinues to produce the active infection along
with its symptoms.
The symptom that most people complain about is fatigue because it is
the easiest to recognize. Other symptoms include fever, sore throat, and
swollen glands ( enlarged lymph nodes) in the armpit, neck and throat. As
well the spleen may become enlarged and become tender to the touch. Other
common symptoms include loss of appetite, sore muscles and overall
weakness. These symptoms are usually found in adolescents rather then
younger children. Often a pinkish rash will appear when the patient has been
treated with ampicillian. These symptoms begin to occur after four to six
weeks exposure to the virus. Sometimes the liver and the spleen will be
affected by the virus. This disease is rarely ever fatal.
In young children and older adults the disease is much harder to
diagnose because the typical symptoms are not present. As most symptoms
go unrecognized. No one actually knows how long the period of infectioness
actually lasts, although the disease can be found in people's saliva for at least
six months. The disease can be found in about fifteen percent of people's
saliva for years after the first infection.
When mononucleosis infects the body, it reacts to the virus in
distinctive ways that can be detected in labatory tests. White blood cells
called lymphocytes increase in numbers , and typical-looking blood cells
activate the lymphocytes involved in fighting virus infections can be seen in
blood samples. The body can produce antibodies and specific proteins that
can protect the body from the EBV. These antibodies can indicate that the
virus is present and help diagnose although, they do not serve as a protective
function. In eighty percent of cases heterophil antibodies can be found in
simple blood tests within days, but generally by the twenty-first day. Other
diagnosis treatments include the spot test , this test is used to screen for
heterophil antibodies as well. This test are quick, can be done in a doctor's
office. This tests are generally accurate, but they can give false, positive
negative results. As sometimes the appearance of the antibodies is delayed
and must be repeated for a complete diagnosis.
Mononucleosis can be known as the disease with many faces as the
symptoms of this virus can be passed off as other diseases, having the
symptoms very misleading. They may resemble strep throat, meningitis,
measles and even some sorts of cancer.
For this specific disease there is no specific treatment of therapy . as
mononucleosis is a self-limited infection. For years doctors would prescribe
bed rest for four to six weeks and limited activity for the next three months
after. Today, doctors usually only recommend no strenuous activity.
Complications can arise from to much activity, you can rupture the enlarged
spleen . More often than not the doctor should let the patient judge whether to
limit the activity on how they are feeling.
There is no specific drug that can be taken to cure this disease. The
only specific treatments that are available are lots of rest, consume lots of
fluids to prevent dehydration and a well balanced diet. The only medications
that doctors prescribe are ibuprofen or acetaminophen for headaches, muscle
pain, and chills, and to gargle with salt for sore throat. If a fever is present
children and adolescents should refrain from taking aspirin as it can increase
the risk of Reye syndrome. Antibiotics are ineffective against this disease
and should not be prescribed for mononucleosis.
More than ninety percent of mononucleosis infections are harmless and
uncomplicated, but fatigue and weakness that continue for a month or more
are uncommon. Generally the disease is more complicated in adults over the
age of thirty.
The EBV remains in the body indefinitely following a bout of
mononucleosis, the disease rarely reoccurs. Most individuals who experience
repeat mono like symptoms either have a seriously impaired immune system,
such as transplant recipients, or actually experiencing viruses that have
similar symptoms. It has now been proven that EBV does not cause chronic
fatigue syndrome as it was once thought.
Infectious Mononucleosis is usually a self limited, although sometimes
prolonged, and often uncomfortable illness. While specific treatment is rarely
necessary, the potential complications make it essential that the patients with
this illness be under the care of a physician. Thanks to this disease scientists
have provided themselves a lot of new information dealing with how EBV
effects the body's cellsas monois the most common EBV there is.