Mono

Cause Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the

Ebstein-Barr virus, which is a member of the herpes family.

This family also includes the viruses that cause cold sores,

chicken pox, genital herpes, and birth defects. The

Ebstein-Barr virus has a lengthy incubation period and

symptoms usually take about 4-10 weeks to develop.

Once a person is infected with a herpes virus, it never really

goes away. The viruses are able to lie dormant in our

bodies and become active at any time. The only way mono

can be spread is through direct contact with infected saliva.

That explains why it is known as the "kissing disease".

Drinking from each- others glasses, sharing silverware, and

coughing can also spread the virus. In rare cases it can be

transmitted from person to person through blood

transfusions. A person can only be infected when someone

who has the virus passes it to someone who has never been

exposed. But less than 5% of people w/ mono can recall

being in contact w/ someone who had mono. That is b/c

some people are strictly carriers. They carry the virus and

pass it along to someone else without ever getting any

symptoms themselves. Population Affected Anyone can get

mono. About 70-80% of all cases occur in people btw/ the

ages of 15-30. Mono is most common among high school

and college students who immune systems are usually run

down from stress and fatigue. Although mono peaks earlier

in females, it occurs more often in males. Females are

usually 15-16 when they contract mono and males tend to

be around 18-23. It is estimated that by the age of 40,

95% of the population has already had mono. That might

be hard to believe, but most people who had mono didn't