WEBVTT

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Mononucleosis Mononucleosis,
or "mono",

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is called the kissing
disease because it is spread

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through a virus in your saliva.

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You can get it from kissing
someone who is infected,

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sharing a toothbrush,

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or drinking from
someone else's glass.

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Mono is spread from person
to person, but it is harder

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to catch than the common cold.

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For most people mono is
not a dangerous disease.

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Symptoms of Mononucleosis
Symptoms

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of mono are most
common in teenagers.

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Children can get mono, but they
usually have very mild symptoms.

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Most adults have
already been infected

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with the virus that causes mono.

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Once you have been infected,
you build up a resistance

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to the virus and you don't
get symptoms from it.

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The most common symptoms
include:

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Fatigue Sore throat Fever
Swollen glands Muscle aches

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Headache Large tonsils

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with white patches
Trouble swallowing Loss

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of appetite Rash, and
Night sweats Causes

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of Mono Mono is usually caused

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by a virus called the
Epstein-Barr virus.

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However, some other
viruses may also cause mono,

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including a virus called
cytomegalovirus, or CMV,

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and Human Immunodeficiency
Virus, or HIV.

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Epstein-Barr virus is so common

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that most adults have been
infected by middle age.

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Most people who are infected

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with Epstein-Barr virus do
not get symptoms of mono,

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but up to half of teenagers do.

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Diagnosis Mono may be suspected
when a teenager has symptoms.

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Mono may cause your liver
or spleen to enlarge.

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Your health care
provider will look

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for these signs during
a physical exam.

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Blood tests are an important
part of the diagnosis.

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After about one week, people
with mono build up antibodies

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to Epstein-Barr virus
that can be detected

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with a rapid blood test
called the monospot test.

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A blood test called a complete
blood count may show an increase

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in the number of white
blood cells, which occurs

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in infections such as mono.

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A more accurate blood
test, an antibody titer,

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looks for different
types and amounts

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of Epstein-Barr virus
antibodies.

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Risk Factors and Complications
Most people do not have any

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complications from mono.

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However, possible
complications could include:

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An enlarged spleen that ruptures

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and causes internal bleeding
An enlarged liver that leads

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to yellowing of the
skin and eyes,

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called jaundice Strep throat due

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to a bacterial infection Less
common complications include

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anemia, bleeding,
heart problems,

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and nervous system problems.

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Treatment Options Because
mono is caused by a virus,

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antibiotics won't
make it go away.

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The only treatment is to
rest, drink plenty of fluids,

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and take medication to
reduce pain and fever.

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Symptoms usually clear
up in about six weeks.

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If enlarged tonsils
make it hard to swallow,

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your health care provider
may prescribe strong

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anti-inflammatory
drugs called steroids.

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If you get strep throat, you
may be treated with antibiotics.

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Prevention It's not
possible to prevent mono

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because many people carry the
Epstein-Barr virus infection.

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Isolating people
with mono won't help.

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Once you have been infected,
the Epstein-Barr virus stays

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in your system and you can
spread it to someone else.

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Most infections are
spread by people

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who don't have any symptoms.

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Lifestyle Remedies
If you get mono,

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these steps will help:
Get plenty of rest.

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Drink lots of fluids.

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Take an over-the-counter
pain reliever.

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However, children under 16
should not take aspirin.

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Gargle with warm, salted
water to ease a sore throat.

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Mix a 1/2 teaspoon of salt
into 8 ounces of water.

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Avoid any contact sports
and strenuous activities

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until cleared by your
health care provider.

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Let your health care provider
know if you have sudden pain

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in your left upper belly

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or any difficulty
swallowing or breathing.

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What We Have Learned You can
get mono from kissing someone

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who is infected,
sharing a toothbrush,

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or drinking from
someone else's glass.

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True or False The answer is True
The only treatment for mono is

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to rest, drink plenty of
fluids, and take medication

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to reduce pain and fever.

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True or False The answer
is True If you have mono,

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you can continue
playing contact sports

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or doing strenuous activities.

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True or False The
answer is False