Most cases of infectious mononucleosis, or "mono," are associated with the Epstein-Barr virus, one of the world's most commonly occurring strains of herpesvirus. It is estimated that over ninety percent of adults in the United States have been exposed at some point in their lives, and because the virus continues to lay dormant within a small percentage of bodily cells after exposure, this makes controlling the spread of Epstein-Barr nearly impossible.
When contracted by small children, infectious mononucleosis can cause simple fevers or flu like symptoms, or even appear asymptomatic, and the same goes for most adults over the age of thirty. The age group commonly associated with full outbreak is the late teens, during which the virus, spread through the saliva, is easier to pass due to social activity, earning mononucleosis the popular pseudonym, "kissing disease." In fact, it's estimated that over thirty five percent of adolescents who contract Epstein-Barr will develop symptomatic infectious mononucleosis.
Some frequently appearing symptoms are fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, and general malaise. The presence of headache, nose bleed, tachycardia (faster heart rate), and hives or rashes are less universal, along with swelling of the liver or pancreas and central nervous system involvement occurring only in rare cases. In general, most instances of infectious mononucleosis are diagnosed by these symptoms, accompanied by a whitish-yellow coating on the tonsils. Tests are available, including monospot testing and blood panels in which a high concentration of irregular lymphocytes would indicate the disease.
Though there is no cure for infectious mononucleosis, most cases resolve themselves within four to eight weeks. Continued rest is recommended, and in some cases a short trial of steroids or macrolide antibiotics is prescribed to alleviate tonsil swelling and throat pain. Less than five percent of occurrences worldwide are fatal.