Infectious mononucleosis or glandular fever is a contagious disease which is brought about by the action of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This condition is known as kissing disease in colloquial terms, owing to its oral mode of transmission. This infectious disease, which can be recognized with the help of many evident symptoms that include fever and the formation of enlarge lymph nodes, is quite commonly noticed among young adults and adolescents. At times, this condition is seen to subside all by itself without any specific treatment. But in case the symptoms continue to persist, then it requires proper treatment to prevent worsening of the condition.
Read on to get a better idea about various facts regarding this contagious condition.
Causative agent
The Epstein Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis, belongs to the herpes-virus family. The virus is named after the English virologists Yvonne M Barr and Sir Anthony Epstein who are responsible for its discovery and documentation. This is a double stranded virus, which has an incubation period of around 6 to 8 months in the human body. The action of this virus leads to an increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood, thereby resulting in the infection.
Mode of transmission
Epstein Barr virus, which is responsible for the development of infectious mononucleosis, is transmitted from one person to the other through saliva. The virus can also spread through blood and genital secretions. Uncovered coughing and sneezing by the infected person can cause dispersal of small water droplets or saliva which contains the virus, into the air/atmosphere, thereby leading to spread of the infection. Using containers and utensils belonging to the infected person, and sharing the same food and drinks can also lead to the spread of this disease.
Risk factors
The condition of infectious mononucleosis can be contracted by people of all ages. However, it is not necessary that an infection by the virus should always lead to the development of the disease. This contagious disease usually affects people who are in the age group of 14 to 24 years. Adults who have developed a prior immunity to this virus, will not contract the disease. Usually, very young children are not diagnosed with the condition of infectious mononucleosis. Even if they get affected, their condition goes off unnoticed owing to the fact that the symptoms may be mistaken as those related to other common childhood diseases.
Signs and symptoms
There are many evident signs and symptoms which characterize the condition of infectious mononucleosis. A person infected with the virus will initially exhibit symptoms like chills, lack of energy, extreme fatigue and a loss of appetite. These initial symptoms will last for 3 to 4 days, after which the secondary and more severe symptoms will begin to develop.
The infected person will experience severe fever, which will continue to persist for many days. The person may also develop a temperature up to 102 to 104 degree Fahrenheit. He or she will also develop sore throat, wherein both the the tonsils will turn red. He will also experience the formation of swollen lymph nodes in the neck region. Some patients may experience the enlargement of the liver and spleen, while certain others will experience the formation of red rashes all over the body, in a pattern similar to measles.
Diagnosis of the condition
The diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis is usually based on the symptoms exhibited by the patient. Certain common diagnostic tests will be able to confirm whether the symptoms exhibited are due to other conditions like a sore throat, toxoplasmosis and acute HIV infections.
To confirm the condition the doctor will further perform certain routine blood tests. If the condition of infectious mononucleosis is in the initial stage, then one will be able to notice an increase in the count of lymphocytes in the blood.
At the progressive stage of the disease, certain other specific blood tests like monospot and heterophile antibody tests are found to be more effective in confirming the condition. These tests are based on the count of detectable antibodies produced by the body against the viral action. Since these antibodies are not detectable in the early stages of the disease, these tests are found to be effective only in the second and third weeks of the disease.
Treatment
Timely treatment of infectious mononucleosis is essential in order to prevent the occurrence of conditions like hemolytic anemia and diseases of the heart.
The treatment of infectious mononucleosis mainly aims at providing the patient relief from the troubling symptoms. Doctors usually prescribe acetaminophen tablets to deal with the headache and fever that accompanies the condition. To tackle the condition of strep throat, penicillin and erythromycin tablets are prescribed. If the infection of the tonsils is so severe, that it is posing an obstruction in breathing, then the patient is prescribed to have cortisone medications.
Along with the medications, one is also asked to have adequate rest and sleep. During this period, one should also refrain from participating in any form of contact sports in order to prevent trauma to the spleen, that may have become enlarged due to the disease. By following the above said measures, one will be a able to get complete relief from the symptoms, about 3 weeks after the commencement of the treatment.
Prevention
Since prevention is better than cure, one should always take the necessary measures to avoid contracting the condition.
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For this purpose, it is absolutely necessary that you maintain high standards of hygiene.
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You should also take care not to come in close contact with those who are diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis.
