Home Immune system Mononucleosis: symptoms, contagion and treatment

Mononucleosis: symptoms, contagion and treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Mononucleosis is an infection associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or cytomegalovirus, causing swollen lymph nodes in the neck. This condition is also known as the kissing disease and commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults. People who this virus has infected will carry it throughout their lives, even if they never have symptoms. At FastlyHealwe, explain the symptoms, contagion, and treatment of Mononucleosis.

Mononucleosis symptoms

This disease can start with symptoms similar to the flu, but its duration and intensity are different; they will get worse and make other signs appear as:

  • Skin rashes, identical to measles
  • Fever
  • Throat pain
  • Swollen lymph nodes, especially those in the neck
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle pain
  • Swollen tonsils
  • Lack of appetite
  • Enlargement of the spleen or liver

There are other rare symptoms:

  • Accelerated heart rate
  • Nosebleed
  • Jaundice or yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • Top
  • Sensitivity to light

Each case is different, so that some people may have mild symptoms, or the disease is entirely asymptomatic. These symptoms can persist for 10 or 14 days; visit your doctor to avoid any complications when you present the first symptoms.

Mononucleosis contagion

Mononucleosis is also known as the kissing disease, which indicates the most common way to get it. The form of contagion of Mononucleosis is by kissing someone infected, having contact with the infected person’s saliva, either by sharing cutlery or lipstick or drinking from the same glass, or even inhaling drops of saliva from coughing or sneezing.

The virus enters the throat and pharynx, infecting the tonsils, lymph nodes, and liver, and has an incubation period of 10 to 50 days. People who are carriers of the virus will be so for their entire lives, even if they do not have symptoms. On the other hand, those exposed to Epstein-Barr (EBV) who present symptoms may not develop the disease again.

When to contact your doctor?

If the symptoms persist for more than ten days, it will be necessary to consult your doctor to avoid complications. Likewise, if you present any of the following signs, do not hesitate to go to the emergency room:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Constant fever over 38 ºC
  • Intense headache
  • Muscular weakness
  • Neck stiffness
  • Difficulty breathing and swallowing

Treatment for Mononucleosis

Treating Mononucleosis will relieve symptoms; as it is a viral infection, antibiotics will have no effect and cause skin reactions.

Medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol will be ideal for lowering fever and decreasing headache. On the other hand, staying hydrated and resting will be essential to improving yourself. Even if you are not hungry, try to eat small bites and maintain a balanced diet; in the same way, avoid any physical effort as this could cause a rupture in the spleen.

Mononucleosis complications

Generally, the symptoms improve a week after starting the treatment. However, there may be cases, although it is not so common, in which the Mononucleosis is complicated and produces the following diseases:

  • hemolytic anemia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Spleen ruptures
  • Hepatitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Central nervous system problems

Preventive measures and other recommendations

Some precautions can be taken to avoid the spread of Mononucleosis:

  • Do not share utensils or personal hygiene objects
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Avoid constantly changing partners
  • Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing
  • Do not come into contact with people who have any symptoms

As we have already seen, the treatment of Mononucleosis will be based on reducing the symptoms, and one of the most frequent is a sore throat. Here are some home remedies that can relieve a sore throat :

  • Saltwater gargle: This remedy will soothe the pain and help deflate your throat. Add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and gargle with it three times a day.
  • Ginger infusion: boil a piece of peeled and cut ginger in a liter of water for 10 minutes, let it rest, and drink it with a bit of honey.
  • Hydrogen peroxide: gargle by mixing two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and two tablespoons of water. Do it three times a day to disinfect your throat.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Mononucleosis: symptoms, contagion, and treatment, we recommend entering our Immune System category.

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