2008 Woodie Awards
Mono a concern for students this cold and flu season
Cindy Harris
Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: news
Documented cases of Mononucleosis on the campus of Bloomsburg University are very high this semester. Infectious mononucleosis, sometimes called "Mono," "the kissing disease," or glandular fever, is an infection that is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and occurs in about 1 in every 2,000 people yearly. Not everyone, who is exposed to the virus, develops the symptoms of Mono, though most people have been exposed to EBV by the time they reach adulthood (usually by age 35). Younger children, between the ages of four and 15, infected with the virus usually have a shorter incubation period and milder symptoms than adults. In fact, many times, children, not realizing that they are infected with mono, are treated for common colds or other childhood viruses. Although EBV is the most common cause of mono, other viruses, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause a similar illness.
Mono is a contagious illness, however it isn't as contagious as some other infections, such as the common cold. One common way to catch Mono is by kissing someone who has been infected (which is how the illness got its nickname). A quick smooch between friends probably won't do any harm. But if you have never been infected, intimate kissing with someone who is infected can put you at greater risk for getting the disease. You can also get mono through other types of direct contact with saliva, such as by sharing a drink or sharing an eating utensil. Some people, who have the virus in their bodies, never have any symptoms, even though it is still possible for them to spread the virus to others. Medical sources differ on the amount of time people infected with Mono stay contagious. The general consensus is that people are most contagious when they have symptoms, especially during the fever stage and may remain contagious for up to 6 months or more after the symptoms subside.
Symptoms usually begin to appear 3 to 7 weeks after exposure to and infection with the virus. Signs that you may have Mono include: constant fatigue, fever, sore throat, wollen lymph nodes (also know as your glands located in your neck, underarms, groin and abdomen), headaches, sore muscles, enlarged liver and spleen
Mono is a contagious illness, however it isn't as contagious as some other infections, such as the common cold. One common way to catch Mono is by kissing someone who has been infected (which is how the illness got its nickname). A quick smooch between friends probably won't do any harm. But if you have never been infected, intimate kissing with someone who is infected can put you at greater risk for getting the disease. You can also get mono through other types of direct contact with saliva, such as by sharing a drink or sharing an eating utensil. Some people, who have the virus in their bodies, never have any symptoms, even though it is still possible for them to spread the virus to others. Medical sources differ on the amount of time people infected with Mono stay contagious. The general consensus is that people are most contagious when they have symptoms, especially during the fever stage and may remain contagious for up to 6 months or more after the symptoms subside.
Symptoms usually begin to appear 3 to 7 weeks after exposure to and infection with the virus. Signs that you may have Mono include: constant fatigue, fever, sore throat, wollen lymph nodes (also know as your glands located in your neck, underarms, groin and abdomen), headaches, sore muscles, enlarged liver and spleen