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Mononucleosis Mono: Causes and Treatment

Mononucleosis, or mono for short, is a common and contagious infection. Called the kissing disease, it spreads mainly through saliva. However, it can also spread via coughing, sneezing, and sharing utensils. Mainly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, mono causes symptoms that make people feel ill.

Mono Symptoms

Mono usually causes extreme fatigue, a sore throat, and fever. Most people who have mono also experience swollen lymph nodes and body aches. In some cases, mono causes a swollen liver, spleen, or both. Mono can also cause a rash. This and other symptoms vary in intensity and can last several weeks.

Mono Causes

The Epstein-Barr virus is the most common cause of mono, but other viruses can also cause it. Similar mono-like illnesses are caused by cytomegalovirus, streptococcal infection, and adenovirus.

Diagnosing Mono

Diagnosing mono involves looking at health history, blood tests, and a physical examination. The blood tests will show whether antibodies are reacting against the virus. It will also indicate whether white blood cells have increased to fight the infection.

Treating Mono

Because mono is a viral infection, antibiotics won’t help to treat it. In most cases, the best course of treatment is rest, hydration, and eating healthy foods. Over-the-counter painkillers will help relieve a sore throat and muscle aches. However, it is essential to avoid giving aspirin, as it can cause a severe illness called Reye syndrome.

If the lymph nodes or tonsils become very swollen, a steroid may be required to prevent breathing difficulty. It is also crucial to avoid heavy lifting, exercise, and sports for at least a month after recovery.

Preventing Mono

Preventing mono involves practicing good hygiene. This includes:

  • Avoiding close contact with (and kissing) infected individuals
  • Not sharing personal items or utensils
  • Washing hands regularly, especially before touching the face or eating

Visit Legacy ER & Urgent Care for Mono Treatment

Legacy ER & Urgent Care is here to meet your medical care needs by providing affordable pricing and quality care. As part of Intuitive Health’s innovative hybrid model ER and urgent care system, patients are only billed for the level of care they receive from professional and highly trained medical staff. With six facilities located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, emergent and non-emergent care are accessible and transparent, focusing on superb customer service.

Legacy ER & Urgent Care has six convenient locations in the DFW area:

  • Allen – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 1310 W. Exchange Pkwy Allen, TX 75013, and may be reached at 972-526-5819.
  • Coppell – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 330 S Denton Tap Rd Coppell, TX 75019 and may be reached at 469-702-9917.
  • Frisco East – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 16151 Eldorado Pkwy Frisco, TX 75035 and may be reached at 972-526-7009.
  • Frisco West – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 9205 Legacy Dr. Frisco, TX 75033, and may be reached at 972-526-7020.
  • McKinney – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 2810 Hardin Blvd McKinney, TX 75072 and may be reached at 972-573-6688.
  • North Richland Hills – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 8950 N. Tarrant Pkwy North Richland Hills, TX 76182, and may be reached at 817-663-1247

Sources:

https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/mononucleosis

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/infectious-mononucleosis

https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/herpesviruses/infectious-mononucleosis

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-mononucleosis-causes