'Mono' virus linked to seven serious diseases

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) -- best known for causing mononucleosis -- also increases the risks for some people of developing seven other major diseases, according to a new study. The diseases are: systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes.

 My Daughter Has Mono. Is the Whole Family at Risk?

Mono, or infectious mononucleosis — often referred to as “the kissing disease” — is usually caused by a common virus called the Epstein-Barr virus, but “the vast majority of individuals infected by the virus don’t even know it because they are asymptomatic” or experience only mild illness, said Dr. Raymund R. Razonable, an infectious disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. In a small percentage of patients, mono can be caused by other viruses, such as cytomegalovirus.

 Six Myths About Getting Mono That Doctors Wish People Would Stop Believing

Infectious mononucleosis (commonly called mono) affects about 1 out of every 2,000 people every year. But for a disease that common, misinformation abounds... Mono is most often caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Nearly all adults have been exposed to EBV, and it stays in your body your entire life, but not everyone who has EBV will get mono. That’s just one of the common misconceptions about mono.

Bedridden with Mono

I am the unfortunate victim of a college students worst nightmare: Mono. Mononucleosis, as it is called, is not very fun. I am fatigued, my throat hurts, and I all around just do not feel well. I have always heard that it lasts for a while and that it is very difficult to get rid of. This got me to thinking. How long does Mono actually last? What can I do about it? What the hell is it?

Common questions about infectious mononucleosis.

Epstein-Barr is a ubiquitous virus that infects 95% of the world population at some point in life. Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections are often asymptomatic, some patients present with the clinical syndrome of infectious mononucleosis (IM). The syndrome most commonly occurs between 15 and 24 years of age. It should be suspected in patients presenting with sore throat, fever, tonsillar enlargement, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, pharyngeal inflammation, and palatal petechiae.

Diagnosing mononucleosis: Researchers work to expedite proper treatment

One researcher wasn't impressed with research on infectious mononucleosis when he wrote his first published review on it back in the 1990s, and he still isn't. They found that the best predictors of mono were swollen posterior cervical or axillary lymph nodes, fatigue, and enlarged spleen, as well as the percentage of a patient's white blood cells that are lymphocytes or atypical lymphocytes. Having more than 50 percent lymphocytes or 10 percent atypical lymphocytes greatly increased the likelihood of mono.

Mono Isn't The Only Thing You Can Catch From Kissing

The biggest risk factor for acquiring infectious mononucleosis is deep kissing. It is pretty likely that most of the transmitters of mononucleosis do not feel very sick. The opportunity to transfer bacteria during a kiss is very large, and thanks to the emergence of microbiomics, we now know just how large: an average of 80 million bacteria are transferred during a ten second kiss.

Mononucleosis ('Mono') - An Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

In the United States, about 50% of all children 5 years of age and nearly 95% of adults have had an EBV infection. Most of these infections cause symptoms similar to those of a cold or other mild viral infections. Sometimes adolescents and young adults develop different and more severe symptoms from EBV infection.

Mononucleosis: The Kissing Disease?

Mono (short for mononucleosis), is also called the kissing disease. It’s true that you can get mono through kissing, but that’s because it’s in your saliva, or spit. You can also get it by sharing drinks, eating utensils, and even lip gloss, balms or lipsticks.

Think Like a Doctor: A Mysterious Fever Solved!

Infectious mononucleosis is a disease usually characterized by a triad of fever, a sore and red throat and swollen glands, usually in the neck. It was initially called glandular fever when it was first described, in 1889, because of the prominent lymph node enlargement, but the name was changed to infectious mononucleosis in the early 20th century when the link between the illness and the predominance of the white blood cells known as lymphocytes was first recognized.

Think Like a Doctor: A Mysterious Fever Solved!

Infectious mononucleosis is a disease usually characterized by a triad of fever, a sore and red throat and swollen glands, usually in the neck. It was initially called glandular fever when it was first described, in 1889, because of the prominent lymph node enlargement, but the name was changed to infectious mononucleosis in the early 20th century when the link between the illness and the predominance of the white blood cells known as lymphocytes was first recognized. The link between the illness and the Epstein-Barr virus was made after a laboratory worker was accidentally infected with the virus and developed mono.