Nobody in my family ever had mono that I know of and in a family of eight that’s pretty darn good. But I do remember pestering my older brother a lot for “smooching” on his girlfriend. “Ew, that’s gross,” I’d say, “You’re gonna get Mono.” I probably didn’t even know what mono was. All I knew was that kissing was how you got it. Kissing was gross enough at 11 years old, but to know you could pass on an illness doing it made it all that much more DISGUSTING. Little did I know, within a couple of years I would outgrow that revulsion to kissing, and then mono was the furthest thing from my mind.

What is Mono?

Mononucleosis (commonly called mono and known as “the kissing disease”) is a viral infection characterized by a fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes or glands. It’s usually linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) but can also be caused by other organisms such as cytomegalovirus (CMV).

What Causes Mono?

Mono is transmitted through saliva and although kissing can pass the virus, so too can coughing, sneezing, or sharing a glass or food utensil. It is often thought of as being highly contagious, but is much less so than other viral infections such as the common cold and isn’t very severe. It is more common in adolescents between 15-17 years old, but anyone can get it at any age. A blood test can be performed to test for mono. Once it’s contracted, the virus remains in your body, but it’s not serious. Most people have been exposed to EBV or CMV by the time they are 35, and have built up antibodies. The antibodies ensure immunity and mono can’t be contracted again.

Signs and Symptoms

The first signs begin with a general sense of fatigue, malaise (ill feeling), fever, headache and sore throat. The tonsils may be quite swollen, sometimes with yellowish-white spots covering them. The glands or lymph nodes in the neck will also be swollen and potentially quite painful. Here is a list of probable symptoms:
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Fever
• Sore throat
• General feeling Illness
• Swollen Lymph Nodes in neck and armpits
• Swollen tonsils
• Loss of appetite
• Night sweats
• Muscle aches or stiffness
• Rash

Other symptoms that may accompany the infection:
• Jaundice (yellow cast to skin)
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Sensitivity to light
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Rapid heart rate
• Fatigue
• Nosebleed
• Hives
• Swollen spleen

Home Remedies

There is no known cure for the viral infection. Treating the symptoms is the best we can do as the virus works its course. When symptoms are severe, rest and plenty of liquids are mandatory as well as the best treatments. Normal activity can be resumed after the symptoms lessen.

For Sore throat:

• Mix a teaspoon of honey in a cup of herbal tea and drink several times a day
• Grate fresh ginger root and mix with about a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to form a paste—take by teaspoonfuls a couple of times a day; ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory and will boost the immune system because of its antioxidant properties

For Fever:

• Rest
• Take a cool bath or shower
• Drink plenty of clear liquids, not too hot or too cold

For Headaches, body aches and stiffness:

• Herbal teas sage, lavender, chamomile, and peppermint will help relax and reduce aches and pains in the body and head.
• Fresh carrot juice

The most important things are rest, rest, rest and fluids, fluids, fluids. It can’t be said enough. The illness lasts from 2-6 weeks with the symptoms worse within the first week. The feeling of over-all fatigue could linger up to 6 months after the initial onset of mono symptoms even though the disease itself has run its course. Just rest when you can, and take moderate exercise such as walking in daily doses to help keep up strength.

-Anne

Do you have any home remedies for a mono? Comment and share them with us!

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