Infectious Mononucleosis

• Definition
· Infectious Mononucleosis, often referred to as “mono,” is a viral illness resulting from an infection with the Epstein-Barr Virus.

• Overview
· Infection with the Epstein-Barr Virus is very common and over 90% of the population has evidence of previous infection.
· Infectious Mononucleosis can occur at any age but is most common between 10 to 35 years of age.
The Epstein-Barr Virus is contagious, usually transmitted by saliva and is sometimes referred to as the “kissing disease.”
The Epstein-Barr Virus can also be transmitted by genital secretions.
A person infected with Epstein-Barr Virus can remain contagious for longer than six months.

• Symptoms
The most common symptoms of Infectious Mononucleosis are:
- fatigue
- fever
- sore throat
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Occasionally patients with Infectious Mononucleosis will have:
- pus covering their tonsils
- swollen spleen
- rash

• Complications
Patients with Infectious Mononucleosis infrequently experience:
- hepatitis
- inflammation of the heart
- inflammation of the brain
- inflammation of the airway
- anemia

• Treatment
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil or Tylenol
- Corticosteroids such as prednisone are infrequently used for swollen spleen or excessively swollen neck lymph nodes.

References
Am J Med. 2007 Oct;120(10):911.e1-8. [PMID: 17904463]

Posted on July 13, 2009

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