Contents
What is mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis is a disease caused by a virus, the Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV. This virus is part of the herpes family. The disease that follows infection with this virus, called mononucleosis or kissing disease, occurs during the first contact with the virus. But once the virus is contracted, the individual acquires a prolonged, lifelong immunity against this virus, a bit like chickenpox.
How to get mononucleosis without kissing?
If mononucleosis is called kissing disease, part of it is. The mononucleosis virus is spread through saliva, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a kiss! Thus, an exchange of glass, cutlery or water bottle, or even splashes during a cough episode can transmit the disease to those around him.
Mononucleosis: often asymptomatic in the youngest
Despite everything, infectious mononucleosis is mostly asymptomatic: it does not cause any noticeable symptoms. The first contact with the virus often occurs in early childhood, and then goes unnoticed. The immune system develops antibodies against the Epstein-Barr virus, but without triggering symptoms.
Teens often affected by the Epstein barr virus
Due to better hygiene, the number of young children immunized against the mononucleosis virus tends to decrease in France and in developed countries in general. Contamination can then occur a few years later, in early adolescence, or even adulthood, due to more frequent intimate contact. At these ages, mononucleosis will then trigger symptoms, more or less strong depending on the individual.
While contagion from mononucleosis is greatest during the acute and symptomatic phase of the infection, the virus remains in the saliva for weeks or even six months.
It is currently estimated that 90% of adults have been in contact with the Epstein-Barr virus.
What are the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis?
When it causes symptoms, mononucleosis is characterized by one or more of the following signs, classified from most to least common:
- severe fatigue, sometimes for several months;
- headache ;
- chills, muscle aches as in a flu-like condition;
- fairly high fever;
- loss of appetite ;
- red sore throat which may interfere with swallowing;
- swelling of the glands in the neck or under the arms;
- swelling of the spleen (detectable by palpation only);
- Rashes…
A child under 5 will have no or very few symptoms, which are further confused with frequent ENT disorders (cough, cold, sore throat, flu…). But in adolescents or young adults, symptoms are often more pronounced, and can last up to two weeks. Fatigue can even drag on for months.
Mononucleosis: what treatment?
As it is of viral origin, mononucleosis cannot and should not be treated with antibiotics, which are unnecessary against viruses. Against mononucleosis, the main treatments remain analgesics and analgesics of the paracetamol type, to reduce the flu-like condition and lower fever.
The key word in the treatment of mononucleosis is prolonged rest. Stimulants such as royal jelly or vitamin C can help fight prolonged fatigue, as well as weakness caused by lack of appetite.
Mononucleosis and pregnancy: what is the risk for the fetus?
One might think that, like other viruses of the Herpesvirus family such as chickenpox, shingles or cytomegalovirus, the virus d’Epstein-Barr is dangerous for the fetus. In fact, mononucleosis does not cause no fetal complications when a pregnant woman contracts it. The mononucleosis declared during pregnancy will simply cause unpleasant flu-like symptoms during a period which is already tiring for the woman. Also, close contact with a person showing symptoms of mononucleosis is not recommended during pregnancy, as a simple precaution. But since some people can carry the virus in their saliva without symptoms, it is difficult to protect yourself completely. Especially since 95% of adults in the world have the stigma of an infection, and are therefore immune.