DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Infectious Disease

Infectious Mononucleosis

LOW SEVERITY

A contagious disease most commonly caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Characterized by fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. Often called 'mono' or 'kissing disease' due to transmission via saliva. Most common in adolescents and young adults.

Global Affected

50.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Extreme fatigue
Sore throat
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Swollen tonsils
Headache
Skin rash
Soft, swollen spleen
Loss of appetite

Treatment Options

Rest
Hydration
Acetaminophen/ibuprofen
Corticosteroids (airway obstruction)
Avoiding contact sports (4+ weeks)
Gargling salt water
Throat lozenges

Risk Factors

1Age 15-24
2Close contact with infected person
3Kissing
4Sharing drinks/utensils
5College dormitory living
6Weakened immune system

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Monospot test
  • 2EBV antibody panel
  • 3Complete blood count (atypical lymphocytes)
  • 4Throat culture (rule out strep)
  • 5Liver function tests

Prognosis

Usually self-limiting (2-4 weeks). Fatigue may persist months. Splenic rupture rare but serious complication. Rare complications: hepatitis, myocarditis, encephalitis. Lifelong EBV latency established.

Prevention

  • Avoiding close contact when ill
  • Not sharing drinks/utensils
  • Good hand hygiene
  • Covering coughs/sneezes
  • No vaccine available yet

Research Status

No specific antiviral treatment. Supportive care mainstay. EBV vaccine trials ongoing. Research into link with multiple sclerosis and certain cancers. Steroids for airway obstruction. Avoiding splenic rupture key concern.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.idsociety.org
  • https://www.cdc.gov/
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.