Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono)
What exactly is infectious mononucleosis ("mono")?
Infectious mononucleosis, "mono," "kissing disease," and glandular fever are all terms popularly used for the very typical illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is often a member of the herpesvirus family. The characteristic symptoms of infection with EBV consist of fever, fatigue, malaise, and sore throat. The designation "mononucleosis" refers to an enhance in 1 kind of white blood cells (lymphocytes) inside the bloodstream relative to the other blood components as a result of the EBV infection.
What exactly is the cause of mono?
The EBV that causes mono is found throughout the world. By the time most people reach adulthood, an antibody against EBV can be detected in their blood. Within the U.S., up to 95% of adults 35-40 years of age have antibodies directed against EBV. This means that many people, sometime in their lives, have been infected with EBV. The body's immune program produces antibodies to attack and help destroy invading viruses and bacteria. These distinct antibodies can be detected within the blood of people who have been infected.
While you can find other illnesses falling under the broad classification of mononucleosis that may cause comparable symptoms (cytomegalovirus [CMV] is 1 example) and an boost in blood lymphocytes, the form caused by the EBV is by far the most widespread.
What are the risk elements for mono?
The EBV can infect any person. As previously discussed, the majority of individuals have become infected with the virus by the time that they reach adulthood, as well as the majority of these infections create no symptoms or are not recognized as mono. Mono is most often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, with a peak incidence at 15-17 years of age. Nevertheless, it is also seen in young children. Normally, the illness is much less severe in young kids and could mimic the symptoms of other typical childhood illnesses, which could explain why it's less generally diagnosed or recognized in this younger age group
How is mono transmitted or spread?
Mono is spread by person-to-person contact. Saliva is the primary method of transmitting mono. Infectious mononucleosis developed its common name of "kissing disease" from this prevalent type of transmission amongst teenagers. A person with mono may also pass the illness by coughing or sneezing, causing tiny droplets of infected saliva and/or mucus to be suspended within the air which could be inhaled by others. Sharing food or beverages from the very same container or utensil can also transfer the virus from 1 individual to one more since contact with infected saliva could result.
Many people have been exposed to the virus as youngsters, and as a result of the exposure, they've developed immunity to the virus. It's of note that many people who are exposed to the EBV do not ever develop mononucleosis. The incubation period for mono, meaning the time from the initial viral infection until the appearance of symptoms, is between four and six weeks. During an infection, a person is likely able to transmit the virus to others for a minimum of several weeks.
Research has shown that, depending on the method used to detect the virus, anywhere from 20%-80% of individuals who have had mononucleosis and have recovered, will continue to secrete the EBV in their saliva for years on account of periodic "reactivations" of the viral infection. Given that healthy people without having symptoms also secrete the virus throughout reactivation episodes throughout their lifetime, isolation of individuals infected with EBV is not essential. It really is at present believed that these healthy folks, who nevertheless secrete EBV particles, are the primary reservoir for transmission of EBV amongst humans.
What exactly is infectious mononucleosis ("mono")?
Infectious mononucleosis, "mono," "kissing disease," and glandular fever are all terms popularly used for the very typical illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is often a member of the herpesvirus family. The characteristic symptoms of infection with EBV consist of fever, fatigue, malaise, and sore throat. The designation "mononucleosis" refers to an enhance in 1 kind of white blood cells (lymphocytes) inside the bloodstream relative to the other blood components as a result of the EBV infection.
What exactly is the cause of mono?
The EBV that causes mono is found throughout the world. By the time most people reach adulthood, an antibody against EBV can be detected in their blood. Within the U.S., up to 95% of adults 35-40 years of age have antibodies directed against EBV. This means that many people, sometime in their lives, have been infected with EBV. The body's immune program produces antibodies to attack and help destroy invading viruses and bacteria. These distinct antibodies can be detected within the blood of people who have been infected.
While you can find other illnesses falling under the broad classification of mononucleosis that may cause comparable symptoms (cytomegalovirus [CMV] is 1 example) and an boost in blood lymphocytes, the form caused by the EBV is by far the most widespread.
What are the risk elements for mono?
The EBV can infect any person. As previously discussed, the majority of individuals have become infected with the virus by the time that they reach adulthood, as well as the majority of these infections create no symptoms or are not recognized as mono. Mono is most often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, with a peak incidence at 15-17 years of age. Nevertheless, it is also seen in young children. Normally, the illness is much less severe in young kids and could mimic the symptoms of other typical childhood illnesses, which could explain why it's less generally diagnosed or recognized in this younger age group
How is mono transmitted or spread?
Mono is spread by person-to-person contact. Saliva is the primary method of transmitting mono. Infectious mononucleosis developed its common name of "kissing disease" from this prevalent type of transmission amongst teenagers. A person with mono may also pass the illness by coughing or sneezing, causing tiny droplets of infected saliva and/or mucus to be suspended within the air which could be inhaled by others. Sharing food or beverages from the very same container or utensil can also transfer the virus from 1 individual to one more since contact with infected saliva could result.
Many people have been exposed to the virus as youngsters, and as a result of the exposure, they've developed immunity to the virus. It's of note that many people who are exposed to the EBV do not ever develop mononucleosis. The incubation period for mono, meaning the time from the initial viral infection until the appearance of symptoms, is between four and six weeks. During an infection, a person is likely able to transmit the virus to others for a minimum of several weeks.
Research has shown that, depending on the method used to detect the virus, anywhere from 20%-80% of individuals who have had mononucleosis and have recovered, will continue to secrete the EBV in their saliva for years on account of periodic "reactivations" of the viral infection. Given that healthy people without having symptoms also secrete the virus throughout reactivation episodes throughout their lifetime, isolation of individuals infected with EBV is not essential. It really is at present believed that these healthy folks, who nevertheless secrete EBV particles, are the primary reservoir for transmission of EBV amongst humans.
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