infectious mononucleosis virus symptoms pictures

What is the infectious mononucleosis virus?

Infectious mononucleosis is known as mono, the kissing disease, Pfeiffer's disease, and, in British English, glandular fever. It is a disease most commonly seen in adolescents and young adults. Characteristics are fever, sore throat and fatigue.

It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or the cytomegalovirus (CMV). Typically, it is transmitted through saliva or blood, often, it is passed through kissing, or by sharing a drinking glass, an eating utensil, or a needle. In addition, the virus is found in the mucus of the infected person. Thus, it is easy to spread through coughing or sneezing.

It is estimated 95% of adults, in the world, have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus at some point in their lives.

The virus infects B cells (B-lymphocytes), producing a reactive lymphocytosis and the atypical T cells (T-lymphocytes) which give the disease its name. infectious mononucleosis virus symptoms pictures

Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis virus.

An infected person, with the virus, may have it for weeks, or months, before symptoms appear. Usually, symptoms appear 4-7 weeks, after infection. The first signs of the disease are easily confused with cold and flu symptoms. Typical symptoms, and signs, of mononucleosis are:

Fever

This varies from mild to severe, but is seen in nearly all cases.
Enlarged lymph nodes

Particularly, this affects the posterior cervical lymph nodes, on both sides of the neck.
Sore throat (throat infection)

Nearly all patients, with EBV-mononucleosis, have tonsillitis. It is usually accompanied by thick exudate.
Fatigue (sometimes extreme fatigue)

Some patients may also display:

Enlarged spleen or liver
Abdominal pain
Aching muscles
Headache
Loss of appetite
Jaundice
Sinus infection
Depression
Weakness
Skin rash

Usually, infectious mononucleosis symptoms last 1-2 months. However, the virus remains dormant in the B cells indefinitely, after symptoms have disappeared. After exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus, many do not show symptoms of the disease. But, they carry the virus and transmit it to others.

This is especially so in children, where infection seldom causes more than a very mild illness. Often, it goes undiagnosed. This feature, with mono's long incubation period, makes epidemiological control of the disease impractical. About 6% of people, who have had mono, relapse.

Mononucleosis causes the spleen to swell. In rare cases, it leads to a ruptured spleen. Rupture occurs without trauma, but impact to the spleen is usually a factor.

Mono resembles strep throat, or other bacterial or viral respiratory infections. It is rarely fatal. However, death results from severe hepatitis or splenic rupture.

Usually, the longer an infected person experiences symptoms, the more it weakens the person's immune system. Thus, the longer he/she needs to recover.

Symptoms similar to those of mononucleosis are caused by adenovirus and the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. infectious mononucleosis virus symptoms pictures

infectious mononucleosis virus pictures.

infectious mononucleosis virus mouth

infectious mononucleosis virus symptoms pictures

What is the infectious mononucleosis virus?

Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis virus.

infectious mononucleosis virus pictures.

infectious mononucleosis virus symptoms pictures.