What in heavens is “Mono” may be a question asked by many even though most of us may have been infected by it at some time or the other. “Mono” is a short for Mononucleosis – a viral infection contracted through saliva in the mouth. More often it is found amongst the Teens and Young Adults and commonly called the “Kissing Disease”. Found commonly on College Campuses, Hostels and Residential Colleges or Institutes. Many of us may have been infected by it but never known it by its obnoxious name.

Ironically when children get it may go un-noticed as it may be mild, and Adults don’t contract it quickly because the immunity system in them is much higher than in childhood, and sometimes the adults may overlook it as common cold or flu. Children often contract it through their Mothers shockingly though, possible through cuddling and kissing or even using the same glass or crockery.

Two major symptoms of Mononucleosis are

1. A Severe Sore throat which is painful, with swollen glands. Sore throat is common amongst Adolescents and college going students many times due to eating of junk food, or oily snacks. So it is best advised to have a medical check up to ascertain the exact cause.

2. A high fever with weakness or fatigue: It is always advisable to take medical advice as a fever can be caused by so many other illnesses. It is characteristics of the fever in that the timing, its repetitiveness, and the degree of fever that the doctor can ascertain it is Mono. Fatigue or tiredness can be mistaken for normal tiredness after a hard day at college, so best advised to take doctors advice.

As the symptoms occur weeks after a person has been exposed to Mono, it will stay with you until the symptoms go away for good, but the virus remains in your body for life. Though it may not affect you visibly. Medically it has been an interesting phenomenon that this virus cannot be cleaned from your body and remains inside you for life. As mentioned above the symptoms will pass away for good, and you would never again get mono, but the virus remains within your body for life. The only options or a precaution rather to avoid spreading Mono is by not kissing anyone, or sharing glasses, or crockery or toothbrushes with others.

You seemed fine then all of a sudden you’re sick, but not just any sickness. You have a skin rash, loss of appetite, sore throat, fever, and even chills. Could it be the flu or could it be something worse such as infectious mononucleosis, the kissing disease.

Although Mono is known as the kissing disease, it can be spread in other ways, such as sharing a glass or food utensil with someone who has mono. Another way that mono is spread is through coughing and sneezing as it travels through saliva. One of the warning signs of mono is lack of energy. This lack of energy is more than just being tired. It is often described as a vague feeling of discomfort and having no energy. Some patients are unable to explain the feeling and have described it as a feeling of something just not right. If you experience this lack of energy for more than a couple of days, even after rest, it is possible that you have mono. Being tired is not the only warning sign of mono and should not be taking as such on fatigue only.

If you think that you have mono, you should also look out for another warning sign. Those who have mono often have a sore throat, like that of strep. Even after treatment, the sore throat has reacted to treatment for strep throat is a likely sign that you have mono. After comparing your symptoms with those that are linked to mono, you feel you have it, now what should you do? Mono in most cases will clear up on it’s own, usually within a week or two.

To aid in recover you should get plenty of rest, a healthy diet, and fluids. If after a week or two the symptoms are not gone or they have gone and have come back then it is best o see a doctor. The doctor can run tests and provide medical treatment to alleviate the symptoms speed in recovery. Even though mono is rarely fatal in healthy people seeking a doctor for treatment is best to avoid any complications that could result.