Infectious Mononucleosis, also known as mono or the “kissing disease”, is a viral disease that typically affects young adults and teenagers. It spreads through bodily fluids like saliva, and is often transmitted through kissing, using the same utensils, and sharing food or drinks.
Common symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, swollen tonsils, headaches, fever, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin. Other signs may include a rash, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, enlarged spleen, and abdominal pain.
“In the South Bay, officials said it saw a recent increase in mono cases at Los Gatos High School with the district sending a letter to parents to be aware of the symptoms,” said Marianne Favro on NBC Bay Area.
It is primarily caused by the herpes virus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Rubella, or Hepatitis A, B, or C that can cause similar symptoms.
“Many people are exposed to EBV at some point during childhood, although they may not realize it at the time…After a person has been exposed, the virus remains in their body for the rest of their life,” said Paul Auwaerter.
“School officials at Los Gatos High said they have seen as many mono cases in the past two weeks as it usually reports during the entire fall and winter season,” said Favro.
There has been a recent spike in mono cases specifically in the Bay Area, but it has affected several other counties and schools across California. Mono is not generally serious or life threatening and typically lasts two to four weeks, but it can be significantly disruptive for students, forcing them to miss several days of school and other activities.
“This condition is called “viral latency,” meaning it is dormant or inactive and does not cause symptoms…the infection may continue to spread to others through intermittent shedding of the virus through saliva. In addition, the virus may also gain exposure to other people through other bodily fluids, such as semen or vaginal secretions,” said Auwaerter.
The incubation period, the time between infection and symptom onset, for mononucleosis is typically four to six weeks, in which an individual may not show symptoms but are contagious. Most symptoms like a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a sore throat generally last for two to four weeks, but weakness and fatigue may persist longer.
Some may experience symptoms up to six months or more. On rare occasions, potential complications can become dangerous. Issues such as a ruptured spleen, airway obstruction, liver problems, blood abnormalities, nervous system problems, and heart problems require immediate medical attention.
Those with compromised immune systems due to HIV, AIDS, or immunosuppressant medications are at a higher risk of developing more severe symptoms and complications.
Students should seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, stiff neck, dehydration or extreme drowsiness, or sudden, severe, or sharp abdominal pain specifically in the upper left side.
It is recommended to relieve symptoms by getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to stay hydrated, and taking over the counter pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen. In order to prevent the spread, avoid kissing, sharing personal items, frequent handwashing, and maintaining good hygiene.
