Definition:
Infectious mononucleosis (mono), or glandular fever, is usually called the kissing disease.
Diagnosis:
The doctor may use other blood tests to look for an elevated number of white blood cells (lymphocytes) or abnormal-looking lymphocytes. These blood tests will not confirm mononucleosis, but they may suggest it as a possibility.
Treatment:
There's no particular therapy available to treat infectious mononucleosis. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections such as mono. Treatment mostly involves bed rest and adequate fluid intake.
Sometimes, a streptococcal (strep) infection accompanies the sore throat of mononucleosis. A sinus infection may also develop or an infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis). If so, the patient may need treatment with antibiotics for these accompanying bacterial infections.
Symptoms and Signs:
Some symptoms of kissing disease are: fatigue; weakness; sore throat; fever; swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits; swollen tonsils; headache; skin rash; loss of appetite; soft, swollen spleen; and night sweats.
Causes:
The cause of mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus, though similar signs and symptoms are sometimes caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV).
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