Infectious mononucleosis, mono for short, is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, spread via saliva. This kissing virus most often occurs in 15 to 17-year-old, but it’ll go after any age.
The primary complaint by those suffering with mono is a very severe sore throat. Your painful sore throat may be accompanied by symptoms like:
- headache
- skin rash
- swollen tonsils
- loss of appetite
- liver inflammation
- soft, swollen spleen
- swollen lymph nodes ~ neck and armpits
Probably the biggest deal about mono is that it may take months, seldom longer than 4, to recover your strength to your energetic self, but its other symptoms will be gone within a couple of weeks.
The incubation period for this virus (time from infection to symptoms) is in the neighborhood of 4 to 6 weeks. Thus, you could kiss this “dog-tired” bug around for a month without any inkling you have it. May want to keep your saliva swapping down to a monthly one or two, ’cause this virus can truly give your secrets away.
There is no specific treatment for infectious mononucleosis, and treating your symptoms and rest while you strength rebuilds is the norm. Some physicians prescribe steroids for throat and tonsil swelling control, with a reported a decrease in overall length and severity of kissing disease.
