• Knowledgebase: Information on Specific Illnesses

    Here you will find discussions of specific illnesses and their management.

    27. My cousin had mono. Can I catch it? - Top

    Q: My cousin just had mono; I was wondering exactly what it was and could I catch it?

    A: Infectious Mononucleosis is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. it has been commonly referred to as the "kissing" disease because it can be transmitted by kissing and is common in teenagers and young adults. Mono is transmitted by saliva, either through sharing utensils, coughing, sneering or kissing. It commonly presents with severe sore throat t with swollen red tonsils with white patches, swollen lymph glands, fever (Which can last 7 - 10 days), and fatigue. Fifty percent of people can have an enlarged spleen. Blood smear will show unusual lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) which look like monocytes ( another type of white cell). Because of these cells that look like monocytes, the disease acquired its name Mononucleosis.

    In the teenage and young adult age group, they are very sick for the 1st week with high fever, severe sore throat and greatly reduced energy. The second week the fever generally goes away and the sore throat is slightly better. For the next two to four weeks, they are fatigued easily and the glands and spleen, if enlarged, return to normal. If they have an enlarged spleen they should not participate in any activity in which they might receive a blow to the abdomen because of potential rupture of the spleen.

    The test for mono is a test for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus. Because the body takes a few days to develop antibodies with an illness, the mono test may be negative early in the illness and become positive later. Also, one can maintain antibodies for months and even years; this will result in a positive mono test which can be interpreted as repeat bouts of mono which generally do not occur.

    As far as contagiousness is concerned, as stated, it is spread by contact with saliva, so this is to be avoided. The most contagious period is during the fever. After the fever, the virus is contained in the saliva in very small amounts up to months, but generally it is not spread at this time because of the very small innoculum.

    Most infections have a incubation period (time from exposure to illness) of just a few days. Mono is different because it has an incubation period of 2 weeks to 2 months, so exposure can happen as much as 2 months prior to the illness.

    There is no treatment for Mono because it is a virus. The treatment consists of rest, adequate nutrition and treatment of the fever and discomfort. Some cases are severe enough to make swallowing difficult resulting in the need for IV fluids and consideration of the use of steroids to reduce the swelling. Contact sports should be avoided until concerns over a swollen spleen are resolved.
    - Updated: March 23, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP