Known colloquially as the “kissing disease,” mononucleosis refers to symptoms of the infection Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). While folklore focuses on transmission through smooching, reality can be more mundane. You pass EBV through saliva, so accidentally using someone else’s utensil or glass could also give you a case of mono.
Approximately 95% of women and men in the United States have EBV in their bodies, even if they’re not symptomatic.
If you have mono, you could have carried EBV since you were a child. At the time you were infected, you may not have had any symptoms, or they were so mild you didn’t notice them. But stress and immune dysfunction can reactivate dormant EBV.
At Macomb Medical Clinic our board-certified family physicians and medical experts diagnose and treat mono so you can regain your energy and get back to your life. We offer mono treatment as part of primary care in our Sterling Heights, Michigan, office.
Typical symptoms include:
Do you have mononucleosis? Here are three less common symptoms you might not expect from this common infection.
You may not even know you have a spleen until you suddenly feel swelling and pain in the upper left side of your abdomen. The inflammation associated with mononucleosis can swell your spleen for weeks at a time.
But if you feel a sharp pain around the area of your spleen, call us or get to an emergency room as soon as possible. Even though it’s a rare complication, your spleen could rupture.
Even if you don’t yet feel a sharp pain, if you have mononucleosis, avoid sports and any activities that could result in your being hit in the area of your spleen. A hard blow could cause a dangerous, life-threatening rupture.
As with other infections, mono may cause you to become dehydrated. You may have a fever that causes you to sweat. You may also avoid drinking enough water, tea, and other healthy liquids because your throat and neck hurt.
As soon as you’re diagnosed with mono, increase your fluid levels by 2-3 times. Hydration helps your body flush out the virus so you can recover more quickly. Signs that you’ve become dehydrated include:
If you show signs of dehydration, take in fluids immediately and come to see us so we can rehydrate your body.
Your spleen isn’t the only organ or tissue that enlarges due to mononucleosis. Your tonsils and lymph nodes are also in danger of becoming inflamed and swollen. The swelling can narrow your airway and cause pain so it’s difficult to breathe or swallow.
If you struggle to breathe, get to the emergency room right away. Lack of oxygen is extremely dangerous.
Unfortunately, mono doesn’t respond to antibiotics or antiviral treatments. To keep you comfortable for the 2-4 weeks of active disease and subsequent months of recovery, we may recommend:
Do you think you have mono? Get the supportive care you need with a primary care visit today at Macomb Medical Clinic. You can call our friendly team at 586-315-2393 or use our online contact form.
