Mononucleosis is a viral infection causing fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck.
See also: Infectious mononucleosis (acute CMV infection)
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Mononucleosis, or mono, is often spread by saliva and close contact. It is known as "the kissing disease," and occurs most often in those age 15 to 17. However, the infection may develop at any age.
Mono is usually linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but can also be caused by other organisms such as cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Symptoms
Mono may begin slowly with fatigue, a general ill feeling, headache, and sore throat. The sore throat slowly gets worse. Your tonsils become swollen and develop a whitish-yellow covering. The lymph nodes in the neck are frequently swollen and painful.
A pink, measles-like rash can occur and is more likely if you take the medicines ampicillin or amoxicillin for a throat infection. (Antibiotics should NOT be given without a positive Strep test.)
Symptoms of mononucleosis include:
Drowsiness
Fever
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
Loss of appetite
Muscle aches or stiffness
Rash
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck and armpit
Swollen spleen
Less frequently occurring symptoms include:
Chest pain
Cough
Fatigue
Headache
Hives
Jaundice (yellow color to the skin)
Neck stiffness
Nosebleed
Rapid heart rate
Sensitivity to light
Shortness of breath
Signs and tests
During a physical examination, the doctor may find swollen lymph nodes in the front and back of your neck, as well as swollen tonsils with a whitish-yellow covering.
The doctor might also feel a swollen liver or swollen spleen when pushing on your belly. There may be a skin rash.
Blood work often reveals a higher-than-normal white blood cell (WBC) count and unusual-looking white blood cells called atypical lymphocytes, which are seen when blood is examined under a microscope. Atypical lymphocytes and abnormal liver function tests are a hallmark sign of the disease.
A monospot test will be positive for infectious mononucleosis.
A special test called an antibody titer can help your doctor distinguish a current (acute) EBV infection from one that occurred in the past.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Medicines such as steroids (prednisone) and antivirals (such as acyclovir) have little or no benefit.
To relieve typical symptoms:
Drink plenty of fluids.
Gargle with warm salt water to ease a sore throat.
Get plenty of rest.
Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever.
You should also avoid contact sports while the spleen is swollen (to prevent it from rupturing).
Expectations (prognosis)
The fever usually drops in 10 days, and swollen lymph glands and spleen heal in 4 weeks. Fatigue usually goes away within a few weeks, but may linger for 2 to 3 months.
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) now just easing back into daily life then i would love to be back in the gym in 2-3 weeks.