Mononucleosis is one of those diseases that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or location. If you are reading this blog, chances are you have had mononucleosis or known someone who has it.
But most people don’t know how to react when they get it. Is it an STI? Do they need treatment?
If you think you have mono and are wondering what to do about it, read on.
Is it mono or something more serious? Find out with Daily Sparkz.
What is Infectious Mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis, also known as “mono” or “kissing disease,” is a viral infection often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
It affects the lymphatic system, a part of the immune system that helps fight off infections and disease.
What are the symptoms of mono?
Classic mono symptoms can include:
- fatigue
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes or glands in the neck and armpits
- Body pain
- rash
- Headache
- Jaundice (in rare cases)
The symptoms of mono can last for weeks or even months – in some cases up to six months – making it difficult to live with the virus while sick. People infected with mononucleosis may experience extreme fatigue and difficulty concentrating due to the lingering effects of the virus.
Mono can have devastating effects on the student population. Because of the disease’s contagiousness and serious impairment of a person’s ability to function, students suffering from mono are often forced to isolate themselves for days, weeks, or even months, causing them to fall behind in their studies. It is not uncommon for secondary and tertiary students to miss an entire semester due to mono.
How does mono spread?
Mononucleosis spreads through close contact with an infected person’s body fluids.
After all, we call mono the “kissing disease” because it spreads easily through saliva and mouth-to-mouth contact. But kissing isn’t the only way to spread this infection.
Mono can spread easily through sharing food and drinking glasses, coughing and sneezing, and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. However, mono is not an airborne disease and therefore cannot spread by breathing in the air around a sick person.
Can mono spread through sex?
Mononucleosis can be transmitted through sexual contact, including kissing and the exchange of other body fluids. Therefore, this infection can be classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
However, mono is not typically considered a sexually transmitted disease by medical professionals because the main route of transmission is through kissing, which is not necessarily part of sexual intercourse. Things can get even more confusing because mono shares many symptoms with some sexually transmitted diseases, such as: Herpes, HIVAnd Hepatitis B And C.
How do I know it’s mono?
Although mono has clear symptoms, the only way to find out is to get tested. If you think you may have acquired an infection through sexual contact, you should do so And an STI test, just in case.
Can mono be treated?
There is no vaccine for mononucleosis and it is not curable. However, the problem usually resolves itself. Treatment focuses on managing and relieving symptoms. This includes:
- Treat yourself to plenty of rest
- Taking over-the-counter medications to relieve fever or pain
- Drink liquids
- Gargling with warm salt water relieves a sore throat
- Using throat sprays or lozenges
You should also avoid contact sports, which could potentially lead to a ruptured spleen.
Final thoughts
If you’re experiencing mono symptoms but aren’t sure what you have, consider getting a sex test.
At Daily Sparkz, we offer a range of confidential STI testing services to help you take control of your sexual health. Call the number listed above to speak to one of our sexual health advisors.
Don’t leave your sexual health to chance.
