infectious mononucleosis
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GC: n

S: NCBI – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4346501/ (last access: 26 September 2024); CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about/mononucleosis.html (last access: 26 September 2024).

N: 1. – infectious (adj): “catching, having the quality of spreading from person to person, communicable by infection,” 1540s of diseases, 1610s of emotions, actions, etc.; see “infection” + “-ous”. Earlier in the same sense were infectuous (late 15c.), infective (late 14c.). Related: Infectiously; infectiousness.

– mononucleosis (n): “infection disease characterized by an abnormally high proportion of mononuclear leucocytes in the blood,” 1917, coined from mononuclear + Modern Latin -osis “abnormal condition.”

2. Infectious Mononucleosis. Also called: Glandular fever, Kissing disease, Mono, Mononucleosis.

What is infectious mononucleosis (mono)?

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is a disease caused by viruses.The most common cause is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Mono is contagious, which means it can spread from person to person. It is common among teenagers and young adults, especially college students.

3. What causes infectious mononucleosis (mono)?

Mono can be caused by many different viruses. But it is most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is found all over the world. Most people get an EBV infection at some point in their lives, but only some of them will get the symptoms of mono. EBV infections often happen during childhood or when someone is a young adult. EBV infections in children usually do not cause symptoms. And when they do, it’s hard to tell the difference between the symptoms of mono and the symptoms of other common childhood illnesses such as the flu. Teens and young adults who get EBV are more likely to have symptoms that are typical of mono.

EBV and the other viruses that cause mono are usually spread through body fluids, especially saliva (spit). This means that you can get it through kissing. That’s why mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease.” But you can also get these viruses if you share food, drinks, forks, spoons, or lip balm with someone who has mono. Other less common ways of getting an infection are through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and blood and semen during sexual contact.

4. Infectious mononucleosis, or “mono”, is an infection usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus spreads through saliva, which is why it’s sometimes called “kissing disease.” Mono occurs most often in teens and young adults. However, you can get it at any age. Symptoms of mono include:

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph glands.

5. Cultural Interrelation: Mononucleosis is transmitted primarily by oral contact with exchange of saliva—hence its popular name, “the kissing disease.”

N: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=infectious+mononucleosis (last access: 26 September 2024).  2 to 4. MEDLP –  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infectiousmononucleosis.html, https://medlineplus.gov/infectiousmononucleosis.html (last access: 27 August 2014 and 26 September 2024). 5. EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/science/mononucleosis (last access: 26 September 2024).

SYN: glandular fever, kissing disease (popular).

S: EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/science/mononucleosis (last access: 26 September 2024)

CR: fever, pharyngitis, virus.