How do you treat mono? How long does it take to go away? How long is it contagious?

Kate

"Mono" is infectious mononucleosis, a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Infection with this virus is extremely common, and in most cases it does not cause significant illness. Some people develop fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, however, and this is the disease we call mono. Usually, the fever lasts about a week, and the rest of the symptoms are gone after one month. Since it generally goes away by itself without causing permanent harm, no specific treatment is necessary.

Complications of mono -- such as blood disorders and lymph-node swelling that causes breathing problems -- are uncommon. If they occur, a doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory steroid drugs. Steroids can also make people with uncomplicated mono feel better, but because these drugs have side effects, they are used only when the illness is severe.

Patients with mono should avoid strenuous exercise and take special care to avoid trauma to the spleen, which is located on the left side of the body just under the ribcage. The spleen becomes swollen during mono infection, and in rare cases, even a relatively minor blow can rupture the organ, with devastating consequences. Luckily, a ruptured spleen is very rare. I have never seen a case.

Mono usually spreads through close contact, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the "kissing disease." Mono is most contagious early in the disease. However, the Epstein-Barr virus can stay dormant in the body forever. That means a person could theoretically have the virus in his or her saliva for a long time -- typically up to 18 months after the illness, and in rare cases forever. The good news is that most adults cannot catch mono from such a person, because they have already been infected with the virus and are now immune. Even people who were unaware of their previous infection will be immune to the virus. Thus, once you've recovered from mono, you usually do not have to worry about spreading it to others.