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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Mononucleosis|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Mononucleosis|here]]''' | ||
{{Mononucleosis (patient information)}} | {{Mononucleosis (patient information)}} | ||
| Line 4: | Line 5: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a very prevalent viral infection caused by the [[Epstein-Barr virus]], a herpes virus. 90% of adults have been exposed to the mononucleosis, many as little children, when no symptoms or flu-like symptoms are exhibited. In underdeveloped countries, almost everyone is exposed at a very young age, so mononucleosis exists mostly in developed countries. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Mononucleosis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Mononucleosis?== | ||
Mononucleosis has an incubation period of 4-7 weeks, and symptoms are typically for 2-3 weeks, although fatigue can take longer. | *Mononucleosis has an incubation period of 4-7 weeks, and symptoms are typically for 2-3 weeks, although [[fatigue]] can take longer. | ||
The main symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are: | |||
* | *The main symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are: | ||
* | :*[[Sore throat]] (more common in children) | ||
* | :*[[Fever]] | ||
* | :*[[Fatigue]] | ||
* | :*[[Weight loss]] | ||
* | :*[[Malaise]], general discomfort | ||
* | :*[[Lymphadenopathy|Enlarged lymph nodes]] (more common in children) | ||
* | :*[[Splenomegaly|Enlarged spleen]] | ||
* | :*[[Hepatomegaly|Enlarged liver]] (more common in adults) | ||
Some rarer and more serious symptoms are: | :*[[Jaundice]] (more common in adults) | ||
* | |||
*rupture or hemorrhage of the spleen | *Some rarer and more serious symptoms are: | ||
* | :*Lower levels of [[thrombocytopenia|platelets]] and [[anemia|blood cells]] | ||
* | :*[[Splenic rupture|Rupture or hemorrhage of the spleen]] | ||
Cases are almost never fatal. | :*[[Airway obstruction]] | ||
:*[[Pneumonitis]] | |||
*Cases are almost never fatal. | |||
==What causes Mononucleosis?== | ==What causes Mononucleosis?== | ||
Infectious mononucleosis is spread through immediate contact with saliva, hence the colloquial name "kissing disease. | *Infectious mononucleosis is spread through immediate contact with saliva, hence the colloquial name "kissing disease". Sharing eating utensils is another way to transmit mononucleosis. | ||
Even long after having been exposed to the virus and any acute symptoms are gone, people still carry the virus. They are typically not at risk of reinfection but are at risk of infecting others. Because so many people have been infected with the virus, prevention from exposure is near impossible. | |||
*Contact through air or blood does not spread mononucleosis. | |||
*Even long after having been exposed to the virus and any acute symptoms are gone, people still carry the virus. They are typically not at risk of reinfection but are at risk of infecting others. Because so many people have been infected with the virus, prevention from exposure is near impossible. | |||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
is a very prevalent viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, a herpes virus. 90% of adults have been exposed to the mononucleosis, many as little children, when no symptoms or flu-like symptoms are exhibited. In underdeveloped countries, almost everyone is exposed at a very young age, so mononucleosis exists mostly in developed countries. | *Mononucleosis is a very prevalent viral infection caused by the [[Epstein-Barr virus]], a herpes virus. | ||
*90% of adults have been exposed to the mononucleosis, many as little children, when no symptoms or flu-like symptoms are exhibited. | |||
*In underdeveloped countries, almost everyone is exposed at a very young age, so mononucleosis exists mostly in developed countries. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
If you develop symptoms of mononucleosis contact your doctor | *If you develop symptoms of mononucleosis contact your doctor. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
*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. | |||
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. | *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 special test called an antibody titer can help your doctor distinguish a current (acute) EBV infection from one that occurred in the past. | |||
*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 options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Medicines such as steroids (prednisone) and antivirals (such as acyclovir) have little or no benefit. | *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. | *To relieve typical symptoms: | ||
* Gargle with warm salt water to ease a sore throat. | :* Drink plenty of fluids. | ||
* Get plenty of rest. | :* Gargle with warm salt water to ease a sore throat. | ||
* Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever. | :* Get plenty of rest. | ||
You should also avoid contact sports while the spleen is swollen (to prevent it from rupturing). | :* Take [[acetaminophen]] or [[ibuprofen]] for [[pain]] and [[fever]]. | ||
:* [[Prednisone]] is also sometimes to reduce throat inflammation. | |||
*You should also avoid contact sports while the [[splenomegaly|spleen is swollen]] (to prevent it from [[splenic rupture|rupturing]]). | |||
*Antibiotics should not be used, and almost always if used with mononucleosis can cause a non-allergic rash. | |||
==Where to find medical care for Mononucleosis?== | ==Where to find medical care for Mononucleosis?== | ||
| Line 54: | Line 73: | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/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. | The [[fever]] usually drops in 10 days, and swollen lymph glands and spleen heal in 4 weeks. [[Chronic fatigue syndrome|Fatigue]] usually goes away within a few weeks, but may linger for 2 to 3 months. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Death in persons with weakened immune systems | * Death in persons with weakened immune systems | ||
* Hemolytic anemia | * [[Hemolytic anemia]] | ||
* Hepatitis with jaundice (more common in patients older than 35) | * [[Hepatitis]] with [[jaundice]] (more common in patients older than 35) | ||
* Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) | * Inflammation of the testicles ([[orchitis]]) | ||
* Neurological complications (rare), including: | * Neurological complications (rare), including: | ||
* | :*[[Guillain-Barre syndrome]] | ||
* | :*[[Meningitis]] | ||
* | :*[[Seizures]] | ||
:*Temporary facial paralysis ([[Bell's palsy]]) | |||
:*Uncoordinated movements ([[ataxia]]) | |||
* Secondary bacterial throat infection | * Secondary [[Strep throat|bacterial throat infection]] | ||
* Spleen rupture (rare; avoid pressure on the spleen) | * [[Splenic rupture|Spleen rupture]] (rare; avoid pressure on the spleen) | ||
==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ||
| Line 74: | Line 93: | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EBV_infectious_mononucleosis Wikipedia] | |||
*[http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ebv.htm CDC] | |||
*[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infectiousmononucleosis.html Medline] | |||
{{WS}}{{WH}} | |||
[[Category:Medicine]] | [[Category:Medicine]] | ||
[[Category:Lymphocytes]] | [[Category:Lymphocytes]] | ||
[[Category:Viral diseases]] | [[Category:Viral diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | [[Category:Pediatrics]] | ||
[[Category:Otolaryngology]] | |||
[[Category:Otolaryngology | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Disease | |||
Latest revision as of 18:06, 18 September 2017
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
|
Mononucleosis |
|
Mononucleosis On the Web |
|---|
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Ethan Leeman
Overview
Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a very prevalent viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, a herpes virus. 90% of adults have been exposed to the mononucleosis, many as little children, when no symptoms or flu-like symptoms are exhibited. In underdeveloped countries, almost everyone is exposed at a very young age, so mononucleosis exists mostly in developed countries.
What are the symptoms of Mononucleosis?
- Mononucleosis has an incubation period of 4-7 weeks, and symptoms are typically for 2-3 weeks, although fatigue can take longer.
- The main symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are:
- Sore throat (more common in children)
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Malaise, general discomfort
- Enlarged lymph nodes (more common in children)
- Enlarged spleen
- Enlarged liver (more common in adults)
- Jaundice (more common in adults)
- Some rarer and more serious symptoms are:
- Lower levels of platelets and blood cells
- Rupture or hemorrhage of the spleen
- Airway obstruction
- Pneumonitis
- Cases are almost never fatal.
What causes Mononucleosis?
- Infectious mononucleosis is spread through immediate contact with saliva, hence the colloquial name "kissing disease". Sharing eating utensils is another way to transmit mononucleosis.
- Contact through air or blood does not spread mononucleosis.
- Even long after having been exposed to the virus and any acute symptoms are gone, people still carry the virus. They are typically not at risk of reinfection but are at risk of infecting others. Because so many people have been infected with the virus, prevention from exposure is near impossible.
Who is at highest risk?
- Mononucleosis is a very prevalent viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, a herpes virus.
- 90% of adults have been exposed to the mononucleosis, many as little children, when no symptoms or flu-like symptoms are exhibited.
- In underdeveloped countries, almost everyone is exposed at a very young age, so mononucleosis exists mostly in developed countries.
When to seek urgent medical care?
- If you develop symptoms of mononucleosis contact your doctor.
Diagnosis
- 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 options
- 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.
- Prednisone is also sometimes to reduce throat inflammation.
- You should also avoid contact sports while the spleen is swollen (to prevent it from rupturing).
- Antibiotics should not be used, and almost always if used with mononucleosis can cause a non-allergic rash.
Where to find medical care for Mononucleosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Mononucleosis
What to expect (Outlook/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.
Possible complications
- Death in persons with weakened immune systems
- Hemolytic anemia
- Hepatitis with jaundice (more common in patients older than 35)
- Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
- Neurological complications (rare), including:
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Meningitis
- Seizures
- Temporary facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)
- Uncoordinated movements (ataxia)
- Secondary bacterial throat infection
- Spleen rupture (rare; avoid pressure on the spleen)