Mono

Usually, when someone has mono, they feel extremely tired.

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If a child gets mono, they'll probably have to stay out of school for a long time. A child in my class had mono, and she was out of school for a month! But don't worry, you'll still get homework. It's really OK because you might be kind of bored and you'll want something to do.

Did you know that mono is also called “the kissing disease?” Well, it is! So pucker up and get ready to learn about mono.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is a kind of herpes virus, is what causes Infectious mononucleosis (pronounced: mah-noh-new-klee-oh-sis), also known as mono. The herpes virus causes cold sores and illnesses like chicken pox too.

Most people who get mono are between the ages of 10 and 15. The mono virus affects your salivary glands, which are located inside of your mouth – the inside of your cheeks and under your tongue – and they make the saliva, also known as spit, in your body. It also affects your respiratory system, which is your lungs and breathing tubes, and blood, and it can make you feel tired and achy all over your body.

Mono is contagious, which means you can easily get it from someone who has it, or you could give it to somebody who doesn’t have it. Even though you can get mono from kissing someone who’s infected with EBV, there are some different ways you can get it, but they all include having contact with spit. Coughing (without covering your Sleeping child mouth) on someone, sharing food from the same plate, toothbrushes, straws, pillows, and kissing can spread mono too.

If you get mono, you can spread it to other people for up to six months afterwards. Since at first, people usually don’t feel sick after catching the EBV virus, someone could have mono – and they could be spreading it – without even noticing! That’s why it’s important not to share things like silverware, straws, or make-up at school.

Almost always, mono causes you to feel very, very tired, but you might have some other symptoms, too. The symptoms include:

1. Fever

2. Sore throat

3. Swollen lymph glands (the virus-fighting glands in your neck, underarms, and groin)

4. Headaches

5. Sore muscles

6. Enlarged liver or spleen (an organ located on the left side of your belly, right under your ribs, that filters blood) and helps fight infections

Sometimes, it may seem like you have influenza or maybe strep throat because the symptoms are so similar. The only way to confirm that you have mono is to… yep! you guessed it! Go to the doctor. There, he will examine you and draw blood for tests to see if you have mono. If you do have to go there to get a test, here’s the part where you want to read carefully. If you want to impress your doctor to show him how smart you are, just remember that one of the tests is called a monospot.

If you get a serious case of mono you will need quite a lot of rest, which means… (awww man) no school for a while, no sports, no running outside playing with friends, or even wrestling with your younger brother. While you’re resting, you’ll need to drink plenty of fluids. Preferably water and juice. You can ask your mom or dad to give you a pain reliever if you have a fever or a sore muscle. Don’t take any aspirin though, because that can put you in danger of something called Reye syndrome, which can be extremely dangerous.

You might be terribly bored, but you can make it fun by getting some quiet activities such as a fun pad, or asking your parents if you can rest in front of the TV. Or, if you have a game boy, you can play that. Do whatever you can think of to have fun, but still be resting at the same time.

If you play sports, especially football, hockey, or other sports that involve a lot of contact, you will possibly need to stay away from them for about a month after you get better, especially if your spleen is enlarged. Your doctor will let you know when it’s okay for you to get back in the game. If you get a little constipated, or, Eating a balanced meal is a great way to stay healthy. you’re having trouble going to the bathroom, relax and don’t push! Instead, eat a lot of fruits, grains, and… dun duh duh dun duh dah! veggies! And don’t forget to drink lots of water to get things moving.

You’ll probably be happy to know that mono will go away in a few weeks, even though you’ll have to put up with taking it easy for a while. Make sure you wash your hands after you cough or sneeze, keep your straws, silverware, and toothbrushes to yourself, and last, but not least… no kissing for a few months!

Credits

The Nemours Foundation. "KidsHealth for Kids" 1995-2004. <http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/> (January-February, 2004).

Book

Bernstein, Joanne E. and Paul Cohen. Dizzy Doctor Riddles. Niles, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company. 1989.

Images

Images of sleeping child and balanced meal from "Microsoft Office Online" <http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?cag=1> Images free for non-profit and personal use. (October-February, 2003-2004).

Joke Answers

1) The tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth. Return.