Can you die from mononucleosis?

Answer 1

Infectious mononucleosis (commonly called "mono") is a viral illness usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Mono most commonly develops in young adults between the ages of 15 and 24.The virus can be spread through contact with saliva, mucus (from the nose and throat), and sometimes tears. Rarely, EBV is spread through blood transfusions. Because the virus can be spread through saliva, mono is sometimes called the kissing disease.

Once you have been infected with EBV, your body may periodically shed (or give off) the virus throughout your lifetime, possibly spreading the virus to others. This can occur despite the fact that you do not have symptoms after your initial mono infection; the virus may still be found in your saliva many months after you have recovered from your symptoms. Some newly infected people may not have any symptoms of mono and may not be aware they are spreading the virus that causes mono.

What causes infectious mononucleosis?
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes infectious mononucleosis. Most people have been infected with EBV by adulthood, but not all develop mono. Exposure to EBV often occurs in young children, but usually they do not develop symptoms of mono. However, if you are first exposed to EBV as an adolescent or young adult, the virus frequently causes symptoms of mono.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common cause of mono-like illness. Much less commonly, a mono-like illness is caused by different viruses, such as hepatitis B, rubella, and HIV.

What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of mono include a high fever, a severe sore throat, swollen glands (especially the tonsils), and fatigue. Symptoms usually develop 4 to 6 weeks after being exposed to the virus. This is called the incubation period. Once symptoms develop, they usually last from 2 to 3 weeks.1

How is infectious mononucleosis diagnosed?
A medical history and physical examination are the most important ways a health professional diagnoses mono. Blood tests may be done to help confirm the disease.

How is it treated?
Usually only self-care is needed for mono.

Get plenty of rest.
Gargle with salt water or use throat lozenges to soothe your sore throat.
Take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to reduce fever and relieve a sore throat and headaches.
Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting to reduce the risk of rupturing your spleen, which may become enlarged during an episode of mono.
In severe cases, corticosteroids may be used to reduce swelling of the throat, tonsils, or spleen.

Most people recover fully from mono after several weeks. But it may take several months to regain your normal energy levels.


Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Mononucleosis is often transmitted by saliva. While it is known as "the kissing disease," occurring most often in 15- to 17-year-olds, the infection may occur at any age.

Mono may begin slowly with fatigue, malaise, headache, and sore throat. The sore throat becomes progressively worse, often with enlarged tonsils covered with a whitish-yellow covering. The lymph nodes in the neck are frequently enlarged and painful.

A pink, measles-like rash can occur and is more likely if the patient is given ampicillin or amoxicillin for a throat infection. (Antibiotics should NOT be given without a positive strep test.) The symptoms of mono gradually subside on their own over a period of weeks to months.

Chronic EBV infection may be associated with some rarer types of cancer. In Africa, for example, EBV is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma. In organ transplant patients, it can cause post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), a type of lymphoma.

Answer 2

Infectious mononucleosis is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, human herpesvirus type 4), characterized by fatigue, fever, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy. Fatigue may persist weeks or months. Severe complications, including splenic rupture and neurologic syndromes, occasionally occur. Diagnosis is clinical or with heterophil antibody testing. Treatment is supportive.
Fatalities from mononucleosis are slightly common in developed nations. Potential mortal complications include splenic rupture, bacterial superinfections, hepatic failure and the development of viral myocarditis.
Uncommon, nonfatal complications are rarely seen, but include various forms of CNS and hematological affection.
CNS: Meningitis, encephalitis, hemiplegia and transverse myelitis. EBV infection has also been proposed as a risk factor for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), but this has not been affirmed.
Hematologic: EBV can cause autoimmune hemolytic anemia (direct Coombs test is positive) and various cytopenias.
Please see the web pages for more details on Infectious Mononucleosis.

Answer 3

mono is caused by the epstein barr virus. if it remains chronic or not a person has the chance of developing tumors that have high concentrations of the ebv virus.

so yes, in a round about way and depending on how well your body fights it off, later on anyone who has had ebv (95% of the worlds population) can die of cancer related tumors.

Answer 4

I have never heard of someone dying from mono, but if you have an immune system disorder, like AIDS, then anything *could* kill you, theoretically.

Answer 5

Never heard that someone died from it. You know, they call it a "kiss disease" cause the virus is in the saliva?