Infectious Mononucleosis (cont.)
What are the complications of mono?
A common, but usually not serious, complication of mono
is a mild inflammation of the liver, or hepatitis. This form of hepatitis
is rarely serious or requires treatment. The enlargement of the spleen that
occurs with mono makes traumatic rupture of the spleen a possible
complication. Swelling of the throat and tonsils can also lead to airway obstruction when severe.
Fortunately, the more severe complications of mono are quite
rare, and mono is very rarely fatal in healthy people. The rare severe complications include destruction of red blood
cells (hemolytic anemia) and inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis), the
heart muscle itself (myocarditis), and the
brain (encephalitis).
Mono tends to be more aggressive in patients with abnormal immune systems,
such as people with AIDS or those who are taking medications that suppress immune function.
The EBV has
been associated with some types of cancers, most commonly lymphomas. This occurs
most frequently in people whose immune systems have been compromised due to
disease or immune suppressive drugs. EBV infection has also been found to be
associated with two types of cancer found in other cultures
-- nasopharyngeal
carcinoma (cancer of the pharynx and nose) in southern China and Burkitt's
lymphoma of the jaw among children in equatorial Africa.
Further, numerous studies have also found that EBV infection is
associated with the development of at least one subtype of Hodgkin's disease.
However, since the vast majority of people have been infected with EBV and never
develop these types of tumors, EBV infection cannot be the sole cause of these
cancers. The overwhelming majority of people who have had mono recover
completely without any serious complications.
Next: Conclusion »
- amoxicillin, Amoxil, Dispermox, Trimox - Learn more about amoxicillin, including a description, generic and brand names, drug class and mechanism, preparations, storage, reasons for prescription, dosing, effect on pregnancy and nursing mothers, and common side effects.
- Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) - Learn more about sore throats, including causes, at-home treatments, differences from strep throat, reasons to seek medical care, and what it means to have multiple episodes of strep throat.
- acetaminophen, Tylenol and Others - Describes the medication acetaminophen (Tylenol) a drug used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
Latest Medical News
Infectious Disease RSS