~Breaking News~ Doctor Wants to Test for Mono

Well... It can't possibly be a shock to anyone that my kids are sick AGAIN.

We all went to the Dr. yesterday and he checked out my oldest who by the time he saw her she was back up to 101.8 fever (after acting fine all day... hmmmmmm) my middle princess then started complaining about a soar throat and tummy ache and the nurse took her temp.... it was 99.8

At first the Dr. thought my darling oldest had the FLU. Then he said, she might have MONO and said I would need to bring her in the following day for a blood test. YUP. A shot.

This didn't go over well. Although I'm proud of my daughter for not breaking down right then and there and balling her eyes out... She talked about the shots she's had in the past and wanted me to rate a blood test on the scale of shot pain based on her experiences... (this is a kid that has had I.V's and other things) So... I think she will be ok... PLUS... I went to the grocery store yesterday and pick up some special nail polish just for her... she will love that. AND it's enough to get her over the 3 second stress of the shot!

Well... She just woke up. No fever. However she is complaining about swallowing - yesterday her glands were swollen (that's one of the reasons the Dr. thinks mono) so I got her some organic tea called "Throat Coat" it's for kids and she like it. It helps to temporarily make her throat feel better.

Anyway.

All that....and I got to tell you. Life is good. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. The neighbors dog is barking. Verizon hasn't shut off my internet... and I have you people.

Ever willing to read what I write!

Thank you :)

And because of your willingness to read... and believe.... I present you with someone elses article on Mono.... The kissing disease... The very last paragraph holds a scary and little known (well atleast I didn't know... and as a result, I consider it little known) fact about the transmission of this disease.

What is infectious mononucleosis ("mono")?
Infectious mononucleosis, "mono," "kissing disease," and glandular fever are all terms popularly used for the very common illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a member of the herpesvirus family. Symptoms of infection with EBV include fever, malaise, and sore throat. The designation "mononucleosis" refers to an increase in a special type of white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the bloodstream relative to the other blood components as a result of the EBV infection.

What is the cause of mono?
The EBV that causes mono is found throughout the world. By the time most people reach adulthood, an antibody against EBV can be detected in their blood. In the U.S., up to 95% of adults 35-40 years of age have antibodies directed against EBV. This means that most people, sometime in their lives, have been infected with EBV. The body's immune system produces antibodies to attack and help destroy invading viruses and bacteria. These specific antibodies can be detected in the blood of people who have been infected.

While there are other illnesses falling under the broad classification of mononucleosis that cause similar symptoms and an increase in blood lymphocytes, the form caused by the EBV is by far the most common.

What are the risk factors for mono?
The EBV can infect any person. As previously discussed, the majority of people have become infected with the virus by the time that they reach adulthood. Mono is most often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, with a peak incidence at ages 15-17. However, it is also seen in children. Generally, the illness is less severe in young children and may mimic the symptoms of other common childhood illnesses, which may explain why it is less commonly diagnosed or recognized in this younger age group.

How is mono spread?
Mono is usually spread by person-to-person contact. Saliva is the primary method of transmitting mono. Infectious mononucleosis developed its common name of "kissing disease" from this prevalent form of transmission among teenagers. A person with mono can also pass the disease by coughing or sneezing, causing small droplets of infected saliva and/or mucus to be suspended in the air which can be inhaled by others. Sharing food or beverages from the same container or utensil can also transfer the virus from one person to another since contact with infected saliva may result.

Most people have been exposed to the virus as children, and as a result of the exposure, they have developed immunity to the virus. It is of note that most people who are exposed to the EBV don't ever develop mononucleosis. The incubation period for mono, meaning the time from the initial viral infection until the appearance of symptoms, is between four and six weeks. During an infection, a person is likely able to transmit the virus to others for at least a few weeks.

Research has shown that, depending on the method used to detect the virus, anywhere from 20% to 80% of people who have had mononucleosis and have recovered, will continue to secrete the EBV in their saliva for years due to periodic "reactivations" of the viral infection. Since healthy people without symptoms also secrete the virus during reactivation episodes throughout their lifetime, isolation of people infected with EBV is not necessary. It is currently believed that these healthy people, who nevertheless secrete EBV particles, are the primary reservoir for transmission of EBV among humans

DID YOU READ THAT PART? yup. healthy people secrete EBV particles and are the primary reservoir for transmission...

You learn something new every day!

Have a great one!