Infectious Mononucleosis Symptoms, Risks and How to Cope

Infectious Mononucleosis Complications and Risks

Mononucleosis complications can be severe and may temporarily affect a person's ability to lead a normal life. Fortunately, the symptoms gradually improve on their own with proper rest and self-care therapy. People who have this disease find themselves feeling fatigued and weak for many months.

Introduction

Mononucleosis, also known as "mono", is a viral and contagious disease that affects mostly young adults and teenagers. In rarer cases, it affects children as well. This viral disease leads to an infection by EBV (Epstein-Barr virus). Mono is also called the kissing disease, as it spreads through bodily fluids like saliva.

What Causes Mono Disease?

Infectious mononucleosis happens due to EBV, and the milder form is caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Both CMV and EBV are considered members of the virus family. The majority of adults worldwide are infected with EBV by the age of 30. When children get infected with such a disease, they frequently do not exhibit any noticeable symptoms. However, unaffected young adults and teens who come in contact with the virus can develop infectious mononucleosis.

Even after symptoms of this disease go away, the EBV stays dormant in the blood cells and throat of an affected person. The virus, as a result, reactivates from time to time in the blood or saliva. However, it almost always does not cause any symptoms.
 

Symptoms of Mononucleosis

The symptoms of mononucleosis can vary. An individual can get affected by severe mono symptoms or even mild ones. These symptoms tend to come on gradually. A person gets sick with mono after four to six weeks of coming in contact with the EBV virus. Here is a list of symptoms which may indicate an individual is affected by mono:

• Fever
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Rash
• Muscle aches or weakness
• Enlarged liver or enlarged spleen
• Loss of appetite
• Extreme tiredness
• Swollen lymph nodes
   

Complications and Risks of Mononucleosis

Here is an overview of a few mononucleosis complications and risks that you need to be aware of:

• Enlarged Spleen: Individuals with mononucleosis get swelling in their spleen. It raises the risk of an organ rupture if there is too much pressure. It can happen if you fall too hard due to someone bumping into you. Hence, it is why doctors recommend not participating in strenuous activities and avoiding sports while recovering. Moreover, it continues for several weeks after the symptoms disappear.
• Jaundice: Some people may also experience jaundice as a form of EBV infection complications. It is a yellowing of the skin and the sclera in the eyes. This happens due to a high presence of bile pigments in the bloodstream.
• Blood Problems: There can also be blood problems, such as anaemia and thrombocytopenia. The former is a condition which indicates a lower RBC (red blood cell) count than normal. Thrombocytopenia refers to a condition which has a very low level of blood platelets. They are important blood cells which help the blood clot when someone is bleeding.
• Nervous System Problems: One major nervous system problem occurring is meningitis. It is the swelling of membranes present around the spinal cord and brain. It refers to a serious inflammation of the brain. This is one of the neurological consequences which can result from mononucleosis.
• Heart Problems: Having mono disease also leads to inflammation of the heart muscle. It leads to myocarditis. This is when an affected person starts experiencing chest pain, breathing problems, and signs of an irregular heartbeat.
• Hepatitis: EBV hepatitis can occur when associated with infectious mononucleosis. There is research which suggests that about 14% of people, when infected with EBV, experience liver enlargement. While this is rare and uncommon, it is not out of the question.
• Swollen Tonsils: It is yet another one of the mononucleosis complications. Swollen tonsils narrow down the airway and make it harder to swallow or breathe through the mouth.

Rare Mononucleosis Complications

The following mononucleosis complications are rare but are still found in patients:

• Thrombocytopenia: This is a condition in which an individual has a lower level of blood platelets. They are blood cells important in forming a blood clot when bleeding. A clot prevents blood from continuously seeping out.
• Multiple Sclerosis: There has been research which indicates that infectious diseases like mononucleosis can act as triggers for other autoimmune diseases. It includes MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Everyone who has had an infection of EBV has also been affected by multiple sclerosis. Medical experts are still working to find out the link between EBV and ways to prevent EBV patients from developing MS.
• Certain Cancers: There are cancers like nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma that affect people with EBV.

How is Mononucleosis Treated?

Mononucleosis is distinct with varying symptoms. Hence, doctors diagnose mononucleosis normally just on the first consultation. They might also examine enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. The examiner can provide mono-disease treatment based on their results. Treatment of mononucleosis happens by controlling the symptoms and enabling the body to fend off the virus on its own.

A doctor might recommend OTC medications to relieve headaches, body pains and fever. Moreover, applying medicinal sprays and rinsing the throat with warm, salty water can help relieve throat pain.

Tips to Manage Symptoms of Mononucleosis

While there is no cure for mono. The treatments primarily focus on helping the patients feel better by relieving the symptoms. Proper self-care can include:

• Hydration: Having plenty of fluids can help with dehydration faced due to mono risks and complications.
• Rest: Mono disease makes a person feel tired. Hence, getting plenty of rest helps the body fight the infection.
• Sore Throat Soothers: Gargling with salt water and having lozenges can help with sore throat problems.
• Pain Relievers: Having pain relievers helps, too. They can ease inflammation, fever, muscle aches and headaches.
• Avoiding Extreme Sports Activity: Doing a physical activity puts too much pressure on the enlarged spleen, increasing the risk of it rupturing. Hence, you need to avoid contact sports and any kind of strenuous exercise while sick and follow it for up to three weeks afterwards.

Final Thoughts

The majority of cases of mononucleosis do not cause serious problems. However, symptoms like extreme weakness, fatigue and body aches can disrupt the normal functioning of life. Hence, it is in your best interest to consult a healthcare provider to effectively manage any mononucleosis complications.