JAMA PATIENT PAGE | Infectious Diseases
Infectious Mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis, also known as “mono,” is an illness that usually affects adolescents and young adults. Cause of Infectious Mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis (“mono”) is caused by an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Epstein-Barr virus is a member of the herpesvirus family and is one of the most common viruses that infects humans. Most Americans have had an EBV infection by age 40 years. Epstein-Barr virus is spread through bodily fluids. It is most commonly transmitted through saliva, which is why mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease.” You can also become infected with EBV by sharing a drinking glass, utensils, or a straw with a person who is infected. The virus can also be transmitted through mucus, blood, semen, or vaginal secretions.
Infectious Mononucleosis (”Mono”) Symptoms and Signs
Treatment Fluids
Body aches Fatigue Fever Swollen tonsils
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever
Symptoms For some people, especially young children, an EBV infection does not cause any symptoms. Others may develop a brief illness that is milder than mono. For those who develop mono, symptoms appear 4 to 6 weeks after the time of infection. The symptoms of mono are common to many infections. You might think you have a cold, the flu, or strep throat. Fatigue is often more severe with mono than with other viral or bacterial illnesses. Some other viral illnesses, such as cytomegalovirus and acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can cause symptoms that are very similar to those of mono. Common symptoms of mono include • Fatigue • Fever • Sore throat • Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck • Body aches • Loss of appetite Rash is another common symptom. You are more likely to develop a rash if you take ampicillin or amoxicillin (medications used to treat certain bacterial infections). Most symptoms go away in 2 to 4 weeks, but you might continue to feel tired for several weeks or even months.
Swollen liver
Swollen spleen
Avoid contact sports
and fever. Throat lozenges and gargling with warm salt water may help a sore throat. Resting and drinking plenty of fluids are important.
What Else Do You Need to Know? A person can spread the EBV virus to other people before having any symptoms of mono and for months after symptoms go away. Death due to mono is very rare. If you are diagnosed as having mono, you should not play contact sports or do very strenuous activity, such as weight lifting, for at least 4 weeks because your spleen may be enlarged and could rupture. If you develop sudden, severe abdominal pain or difficulty breathing, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about-mono.html
Diagnosis and Treatment A doctor may suspect mono based on symptoms. A blood test can confirm the diagnosis. Therearenomedicationstotreattheinfectionitself.Antibioticsdo not help because antibiotics do not work against viruses, including EBV. You can treat the symptoms of mono, however. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can decrease pain Author: Amy E. Thompson, MD Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Library of Medicine
1180
Rest
• National Library of Medicine www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000591.htm To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA’s website at jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish.
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 312/464-0776.
JAMA March 17, 2015 Volume 313, Number 11 (Reprinted)
Copyright 2015 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Downloaded From: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ by a University Of Connecticut Health Center User on 05/11/2015
jama.com
Infectious Mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis, also known as “mono,” is an illness that usually affects adolescents and young adults. Cause of Infectious Mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis (“mono”) is caused by an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Epstein-Barr virus is a member of the herpesvirus family and is one of the most common viruses that infects humans. Most Americans have had an EBV infection by age 40 years. Epstein-Barr virus is spread through bodily fluids. It is most commonly transmitted through saliva, which is why mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease.” You can also become infected with EBV by sharing a drinking glass, utensils, or a straw with a person who is infected. The virus can also be transmitted through mucus, blood, semen, or vaginal secretions.
Infectious Mononucleosis (”Mono”) Symptoms and Signs
Treatment Fluids
Body aches Fatigue Fever Swollen tonsils
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever
Symptoms For some people, especially young children, an EBV infection does not cause any symptoms. Others may develop a brief illness that is milder than mono. For those who develop mono, symptoms appear 4 to 6 weeks after the time of infection. The symptoms of mono are common to many infections. You might think you have a cold, the flu, or strep throat. Fatigue is often more severe with mono than with other viral or bacterial illnesses. Some other viral illnesses, such as cytomegalovirus and acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can cause symptoms that are very similar to those of mono. Common symptoms of mono include • Fatigue • Fever • Sore throat • Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck • Body aches • Loss of appetite Rash is another common symptom. You are more likely to develop a rash if you take ampicillin or amoxicillin (medications used to treat certain bacterial infections). Most symptoms go away in 2 to 4 weeks, but you might continue to feel tired for several weeks or even months.
Swollen liver
Swollen spleen
Avoid contact sports
and fever. Throat lozenges and gargling with warm salt water may help a sore throat. Resting and drinking plenty of fluids are important.
What Else Do You Need to Know? A person can spread the EBV virus to other people before having any symptoms of mono and for months after symptoms go away. Death due to mono is very rare. If you are diagnosed as having mono, you should not play contact sports or do very strenuous activity, such as weight lifting, for at least 4 weeks because your spleen may be enlarged and could rupture. If you develop sudden, severe abdominal pain or difficulty breathing, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about-mono.html
Diagnosis and Treatment A doctor may suspect mono based on symptoms. A blood test can confirm the diagnosis. Therearenomedicationstotreattheinfectionitself.Antibioticsdo not help because antibiotics do not work against viruses, including EBV. You can treat the symptoms of mono, however. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can decrease pain Author: Amy E. Thompson, MD Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Library of Medicine
1180
Rest
• National Library of Medicine www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000591.htm To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA’s website at jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish.
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 312/464-0776.
JAMA March 17, 2015 Volume 313, Number 11 (Reprinted)
Copyright 2015 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Downloaded From: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ by a University Of Connecticut Health Center User on 05/11/2015
jama.com
