Mononucleosis, also known as the kissing disease or just ‘mono,’ is an infectious and contagious illness. As the name suggests, it’s a disease individuals can catch through kissing, but it’s also spreadable through other mouth-swapping activities, like sharing utensils or drinks. In other words, mono usually spreads through saliva, including spit from a cough. As a general rule, if something an infected individual used is still wet, the virus is still present. Though it is a contagious disease, mononucleosis is less likely to spread than the common cold. If indivduals contract mono, it’s usually not serious, but serious complications can occur. When symptoms appear, patients may need to stop normal activity for a few weeks.
Reveal the symptoms now.
A Sore Throat
Experiencing an irritated throat could be the result of all kinds of conditions, and it’s common for individuals to wonder if their inflammation is due to something worse than a typical cold. In particular, mono and strep throat are two more serious conditions that can cause a severe sore throat. In both scenarios, teenagers are vulnerable to infection and may experience enlarged tonsils, as well as red and white patches in the back of the throat in the case of strep. Left untreated, mononucleosis and strep throat both cause complications later in life, such as a weakened immune system and rheumatic fever.
Only a small percentage of irritated throats are caused by mono, but if patients are also experiencing enlarged lymph nodes, high internal temperature, and severe pain in the throat, they should go to the doctor to get a proper diagnosis. There are simple, standard tests the doctor can perform at the office with little difficulty.
Get to know the next sign of mononucleosis now.