By Kylee Carpenter
Campus Health student leader
When you hear the kissing disease, your mind might jump to romance, but mononucleosis (or commonly referred to as mono) is far from a love story. The viral infection is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is known for leaving its victims utterly exhausted and sidelined for weeks.
While most think spread is due to teens and college students swapping kisses, the truth is, mono spreads in more ways than just romantic encounters. Here’s what you need to know to keep the campus healthy and informed.
What’s up with mono?
Mono is a viral illness primarily spread through saliva, which is why it earned its affectionate nickname. However, it can also be transmitted through shared drinks, utensils, coughing, sneezing or close contact with an infected person.
Once exposed, symptoms can take four to six weeks to appear, making it a sneaky and persistent virus.
Symptoms: More than just fatigue
While mono is infamous for extreme tiredness, it comes with a variety of symptoms, including:
- Severe fatigue, the kind that makes getting out of bed feel like a marathon
- Sore throat, often mistaken for strep throat, sometimes with white patches on the tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck and armpits
- Fever: Low to high-grade fevers are common.
- Body aches: muscle soreness and general discomfort
- Enlarged spleen and liver: These organs can swell in rare cases, requiring extra caution.
Take precautions
While mono isn’t as contagious as the flu or COVID-19, it can still make its rounds if precautions aren’t taken.
Encouraging good hygiene, avoiding shared drinks or utensils, and recognizing symptoms early can help prevent outbreaks.
What you need to do if you show symptons
There’s no magic cure for mono, so rest, hydration, and symptom management are key.
Since it can take weeks to recover, students may struggle with keeping up with coursework and responsibilities. A little understanding can go a long way. If you think you have mono:
- Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen.
- Seek Student Disability Services accommodations if needed.
- Avoid contact sports if diagnosed — an enlarged spleen can be vulnerable to injury.
Preventing the spread
While there’s no vaccine for mono, simple precautions can help reduce its spread:
- No sharing: Drinks, utensils and anything that touches the mouth should be personal use only.
- Good hygiene: Handwashing and covering coughs/sneezes are crucial.
- Rest and self-care: A strong immune system helps prevent infection.
Final thoughts
Mononucleosis may not be the most glamorous illness, but it’s one that can impact students and staff alike. By staying informed and promoting healthy habits, we can help keep the GCU community thriving — no unwanted kisses necessary!
There are no current outbreaks of mononucleosis on campus.
References
CDC. (2024, May 9). About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono). Epstein-Barr Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis. https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about/mononucleosis.html
Mayo Clinic. (2022, November 30). Mononucleosis - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic; Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mononucleosis/symptomscauses/syc-20350328
