Things that make you go “ZZZZZZZZZ”

What causes mono?

Mono is short for “infectious mononucleosis”. The Epstein-Barr virus, a member of the herpes virus family, causes this very common infection. Almost 90% of adults have evidence of having had a previous infection, but many of them do not recall the illness. This may be due to the fact that a large percentage of mono occurs in children younger than 5 years of age. At this younger age, children have a very mild illness with symptoms which mimic other common childhood viral infections. Consequently, they are rarely diagnosed with mono. Another peak of mono infection occurs between the ages of 15 and 24. In the high school and college age group, the symptoms are usually more dramatic. By the age of 25, most people have already been exposed and are no longer at risk.

How is mono spread?

Mono is usually spread by person to person contact. Saliva is the primary method of transmitting the virus. Mono is also commonly known as the “kissing disease”. Among teenagers, kissing can be a prevalent form of transmission. It can also be spread through coughing, sneezing, and sharing eating utensils. The virus may remain in the saliva for a long time after active infection, but an infected person is most contagious for the first 2-3 weeks of illness.

What are the symptoms of mono?

Fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes, particularly those in the neck, are the most common symptoms of mono. There may also be generalized body aches and headaches. Some may experience nausea. Physical signs of mono include a fever of 102-104, enlarged tonsils which may be covered with a white coating, palpable swollen lymph nodes, and an enlarged liver and spleen.

How is mono treated?

In most cases no treatment is necessary and mono infection resolves within 3-4 weeks. A small percentage of students may be troubled by fatigue for months. Adequate rest and sleep is most important. Once the fever resolves, most students can attend class. Because mono is a virus, antibiotics are not helpful. Medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) help with the fever and body aches. Rarely, cortisone medication is used for the treatment of severely enlarged tonsils which may inhibit breathing. One potentially serious complication of mono is a ruptured spleen, so most students should avoid all contact sports for at least one month.

Should a student with symptoms of mono see a health care provider?

Absolutely! In the Calvin Health Center, students would be evaluated for both mono and other causes of fatigue and fever, based on their presenting symptoms. A quick monospot test could be done in the clinic to confirm the disease. This test may give the wrong answer if it is done too early in the course of the illness so it is advisable to wait a few days before having it done. Even though most students with infectious mononucleosis have a mild and brief illness, there is potential for more serious complications. Consequently, students infected with this virus should be evaluated regularly by a health care provider.