Page 30 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

28 COMMON CONDITIONS: INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis is a viral illness that most commonly affects teenagers and young adults. Mainly spread by
kissing, sneezing, coughing, and by sharing cups and glasses, it takes 3–7 weeks to incubate. The symptoms
are a sore throat, fever, and loss of appetite and energy that persist for more than a week or two. You may
also have swollen glands in your neck and sometimes in your groin and under your arms, and a headache.
Mononucleosis is not usually serious, and there is no specific medical treatment for it. Recovery can take
4–6 weeks, but you may feel tired for several months.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Arrange to see your doctor to confirm the
diagnosis and check for complications. Analgesics relieve fever and pain. Take
acetaminophen (see p.177) or ibuprofen (see p.185).
Mouth and throat treatments
What you can do yourself (see p.187) can provide temporary relief from a sore
throat. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm
Get plenty of rest while your immune system is water to make a soothing gargle. Lozenges containing
fighting the virus, and use these simple measures benzocaine help numb a sore throat. Some mouth and
to make yourself more comfortable. throat treatments are not suitable for children; ask
your pharmacist for advice.
● If you are feeling tired, rest. You may need to
stay in bed for the first few days of the illness.
● Take an analgesic (see DRUG REMEDIES, right)
to reduce fever and discomfort. If you have a high NATURAL REMEDIES
temperature, wear lightweight clothes and put
a fan in your room. Healthy diet Eaten as part of a balanced diet,
certain nutrients are believed to help support the
● Drink plenty of water and fruit juices to avoid immune system. Boost your diet with lean meat; oily
becoming dehydrated. Warm drinks will help fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring; fresh
soothe a painful throat. fruit; leafy and dark green vegetables; wheat germ;
walnuts; sunflower seeds;
● Try gargling with warm salt water or you could
and flaxseed.
use an analgesic gargle or spray (see DRUG
REMEDIES, right).
Benefits of fruit
● Eating healthy foods may help support your
Fresh fruit is a good
immune system (see NATURAL REMEDIES, right). source of many of the
vitamins that are needed
● Take steps to reduce stress while you are ill
to fight infection.
and during your recovery (see pp.20–21).
● Mononucleosis can affect your liver, so don’t
drink alcohol until you have fully recovered.
● Don’t take part in contact sports or other Seek further medical advice
strenuous activities while you are ill and for Arrange to see your doctor urgently if you
about 2–3 weeks after recovery. begin to develop:
● Stay away from school or work until your
● Difficulty breathing or swallowing
fever has gone and your strength and appetite ● Severe headache and a stiff neck
are back to normal. ● Chest or abdominal pain