How do I get Mono, and How is it Treated?

Here is a great informational video on the cause, symptoms, and other information on mono.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boQpx7L5zxg

If you read my first post, you know that mononucleosis is a disease most commonly spread through saliva, but can also be spread through other bodily fluids such as vaginal fluid, mucus, tears, or even blood. The transmission of any of these fluids from someone with mono can cause contraction of mono. Really anyone can contract mono, but the population most at risk is teenagers and young adults, with over 50% of this population being affected each year. This is because teens still have developing immune systems and are often stressed, tired, and in situations such as parties where mono can easily be transmitted. In some cases, younger children will also contract mono. Below, you can see the geographic distribution of those in the US affected with mono. As you can see, there is little correlation between geographic area and mono contraction, so it is not concentrated in a single area. 

Geographic distribution of mono in the US from 1865- 2009
 http://textmed.com/disease/infectious-mononucleosis.htm

Mononucleosis can only be truly treated with plenty of rest and fluids, and eventually the symptoms will become less severe and go away. However, the virus will always be in your system, and sometimes, even though you do not have the symptoms, EBV can be active in your system and you can transmit it to others. So if you have had mono in the recent past, be cautious in swapping saliva, even if you no longer have the symptoms. Fever reducer can also be taken to relieve the fever, but no other medication is used for the treatment of mononucleosis. In very serious cases, corticosteroids can be used to decrease swelling in the spleen or throat if they become a problem. It is also important to refrain form any strenuous activity or contact sports because the spleen is enlarged and very sensitive during mono.If these measures are met, then the symptoms of mono should decrease and go away after a month or two. If not, a doctor's consultation is advised. So basically, there is no official treatment other then to take care of your body and wait it out.

In order to prevent the further spread of mono, it is recommended not to share utensils, water, or any other methods of saliva transmission with others. Always keep your hands clean and wash them before and after each meal. In general, however, there is no official prevention programs for mononucleosis in the community because the mortality rates are virtually non existent and the symptoms eventually go away. However, I feel that it would be much more beneficial to our young community if a program was set in place to aid in the prevention of mono.

I feel that mononucleosis should be further investigated in order to develop a more concise and efficient means of treatment. It would help if there was a steroid or medication that could help in ridding the body of the virus so that future spread of the disease was decreased. I also think that the issue should be more public. Those with the disease should be more open about the fact that they have it and warn those who they come in contact with. Those who have had mono should also definitely not donate blood. I really think it is in the responsibility of those who have the disease to prevent their part in further spread of mono. Those who do not have it should be very cautious against sharing water bottles, food, tissues, or any other things that contain foreign saliva or bodily fluids. In conclusion, I believe that mononucleosis should be further explored and made more public in order to have a more efficient means in preventing the further transmission of the disease that affects so many young people today.