mononucleosis

=//__ Mononucleosis __//=

__**Description of virus that causes the disease:**__
-mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus - DNA virus -herpes virus -latent cycle -consists of a capsid and envelope -very common virus -can lead to many other diseases, e.g- multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes,cancer -EBV infected usually gain adaptive immunity

The Epstein-Barr virus

__Symptoms and progression of the disease:__
Incubation Period: -10 days after exposure in children and 30-50 days after exposure in adults. -takes 3-5 days for more intense symptoms to start showing Symptoms include: -sore throat,swollen glands in neck armpits groin,nausea,vomiting,enlarged spleen liver, swollen eyelids,rash,weight loss, and drowsiness. -less frequent symptoms- mild jaundice(yellowish skin,eyes),neck stiffness,cough,shortness of breath,rapid heart rate. -may develop hepatitis(inflammation of liver) and pericarditis (inflammation surrounding heart sac) -6 months to wait for total recovery -tired feeling is last to go(depression may result) -mono may come back within a few months but in a lesser case. -never appears full-blown after a year.



__**Viral Specificity:**__
-Infectious -named for large number of white blood cells in blood stream(mononuclear cells) -Epstein-Barr virus stays in WBCs for life (latent) -Sheds virus through saliva -may develop cancer(Burkitt's lymphoma+cancer in nose and throat) -viral genes alter growth of infected cells and cause them to possibly become cancerous -swollen/effects the lymph nodes -infecting two major cells- outer (epithelial)cells(salirary gland) white blood cells (B-cells) -first develops in salivary glands -if correct immune response doesn't develop-there is a risk of forming cancer.

__**Common Methods of Transmission:**__
-Known as the kissing disease -Is transmitted through mucus and saliva e.g-sharing food or drinks, utensils, toothbrushes or anything else that has been near the mouth of an infected person.

__**Treatment and Prevention:**__
-No vaccine -lots of rest, Drink water -syrups for sore throats -Acetaminphen(tylenol) for fever/pain -worse cases-ruptured spleen must be removed in emergency sugery -Blood tests are done to see if virus is present -Little to prevent -Not to kiss or come in close contact anyone who has been diagnosed with disease

-Named after Michael Anthony Epstein and Yvone Barr
- Discoverd in 1961 - 90% have been exposed to thie virus but remains latent in your body

__**Resources accessed:**__

 * - [|www.bodyandhealth.canada.com]**
 * - [|www.science.org.au]**
 * - [|www.healthscout.com/ency/68/231/main.html]**
 * - [|www.thebody.com]**