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Mono is a common benign disease of the white blood cells and lymph nodes.
The disease is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus, which can be found in saliva. Because the disease is very likely passed through kissing, mono is
also called the kissing disease.
Most people get infected as a child, the infection then usually passes without
any symptoms. When someone gets infected during or after puberty, they can get pretty sick.
In medical terms, mono is also referred to as infectious mononucleosis or
Pfeiffer’s disease. The disease is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus, which is
a member of the herpes family. All herpes viruses have in common that they
remain in the body after infection; the virus remains present latently. As soon
as human endurance decreases, caused for example by stress or fatigue, the Epstein-Barr virus can be re-activated. The re-occurring cold sores are a
good example of a latently present herpes virus. Re-activation of the Epstein-Barr virus is also possible, however this will be suppressed so rapidly that
this can not lead to mono again. Someone who has experienced mono in the past, can not get it a second time.
The Epstein-Barr virus is present in saliva and almost always causes a throat
infection. It is not exactly know how the virus is being transmitted. Mono is
not very infectious. After infection it takes 4 to 7 weeks for the first symptoms
to occur.
Approximately half of all children under the age of 10 have already been
infected with the Epstein-Barr virus. Generally, this infection does not cause
any symptoms. After the age of 10, especially during puberty, symptoms will
occur in half of the people who become infected with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Over 97% of all people above 30 years have been through an infection with
the Epstein-Barr virus, and therefore are lifelong protected against mono.
No medication is available for mono. In addition, no vaccine is available in
order to prevent this disease. Usually, treatment for mono is not necessary.
Sometimes medication is prescribed to ease the symptoms. Mono will pass over by itself and complications almost never occur.
Order a test
(information)
Mono usually starts with a sore throat, fever and swollen jugular glands.
Normally, an inflammation of the throat will be over in five days. However, in
case of mono the inflammation usually takes longer. The disease may also occur without a sore throat.
The most striking symptom of mono is fatigue. Some people may hardly have any trouble, other people may be so tired that they need to take some
extra rest. Fatigue may last for up to 2 to 3 months.
Additionally, headache, nausea, perspiring and coughing may occur as symptoms of mono.
The Mono HomeTest is especially convenient for people who
experience symptoms as a sore throat, swollen jugular glands, and fatigue,
which take longer than a normal inflammation of the throat (approximately 5
days). With help of the Mono HomeTest it can now be determined whether these symptoms are caused by mono.
If a person becomes infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, the body produces
heterophile antibodies as by-product of the infection. These heterophile antibodies can be detected rapidly and easily in blood with the
Mono HomeTest.
The Mono HomeTest is performed by adding two drops of blood to the test cassette. After the color reaction, the test result can be read through
the lines that appear.
Attention: 10-15% of all adults and most of the children younger than 5, do
not produce heterophile antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus, despite the
fact that they are infected with Epstein-Barr virus. Therefore, the Mono HomeTest may indicate a negative result, while mono is present.
To indicate that a sufficient amount of blood is added to the test, and the
color reaction has worked correctly, a red control line next to C will appear.
When this control line does not appear the result is inconclusive.
Warning before use
Do not interpret a positive test result as an absolute evidence of an infection
with the Epstein-Barr virus. Positive test result may also be the result of
Hodgkin’s disease. Therefore, positive test result should always be confirmed by other methods. Contact your doctor.
When the test shows a negative test result and your complaints persist, it is
highly recommended to contact your doctor. Other diseases may cause the same symptoms as mono.
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