Mono/ My Brother

Honestly, there really isnt anything you can do. Some people have a really light case of mono and they are fine, but others have it pretty bad. I knew a girl who was so weak she couldnt make it up a flight of stairs without resting. But the more you do, the worse it gets. So tell your brother to rest rest rest because that is the only thing that is gonna make him better. If he is up and doing a whole bunch of activity then its going to take longer to get better. And also he needs to eat right! It gets takes time, but he'll improve! Just be nice to him!
Lauren

I'm sorry but I don't know what mono is?

Mononucliosis.. The "kissing" disease, but thats deff. Not the only way to get it.

<3
gaby

Glandular fever?

Mononucliosis infectious --- ive never heard of glandular fever...

Infectious mononucleosis
provided by a.D.A.M., inc.
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definition
an acute viral infection causing high temperature, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck. It is typically caused by the epstein-barr virus, but can also be caused by the cytomegalovirus (cmv).

Alternative names
mononucleosis - eb; epstein-barr viral syndrome; mono

causes, incidence, and risk factors

mononucleosis-like disease may be caused by the cytomegalovirus (cmv) as well as the classic mononucleosis of the epstein-barr virus (ebv). Both viruses are members of the herpes virus family.

Mononucleosis caused by ebv is the most frequently encountered type and is responsible for approximately 85% of infectious mononucleosis cases. The infection is often transmitted by saliva. While peak incidence occurs in 15- to 17-year-olds, the infection may occur in any age, being most often diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 35.

Infectious mononucleosis 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 fibrinous exudate. The lymph nodes in the neck are frequently enlarged and painful. A pink measles-like rash may occur in approximately 1 out of 10 individuals with mono.

Four out of five patients with mononucleosis who are given ampicillin or amoxicillin for their "throat infection" will develop the rash, but it is significantly darker and denser than the rash in those not given medication. Symptoms of mononucleosis gradually subside over a period of weeks to a month. The disease is generally self-limited.

Risk factors other than age are not known. The incidence in the united states is 2 out of 1,000 in adolescents and young adults. It is significantly lower for the entire u.S. Population. Age of infection varies from country to country. For example, in africa most individuals have been infected by age 3 years, an age at which there are very few symptoms.

Chronic ebv infection may be associated with some types of malignancy. In africa, ebv is associated with burkitt's lymphoma, while in china and among the eskimos, ebv may be associated with cancers of the nose and throat (nasopharyngeal carcinoma). In organ transplant patients it can cause post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (ptld), a type of lymphoma.


Prevention

infectious mononucleosis can be contagious when in close or intimate contact with an infected person. Since the infection is probably spread by saliva, kissing or other transfer of oral secretions should be avoided.


Symptoms

fever
sore throat
enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the neck and axilla (armpit)
facial swelling
general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
drowsiness
loss of appetite
muscle aches or stiffness
enlarged spleen
rash
less frequently occurring symptoms include:

jaundice (yellow cast to skin)
headache
neck stiffness
sensitivity to light
cough
shortness of breath
chest pain
rapid heart rate
irregular heart rate
nosebleed
hives
fatigue

signs and tests
a physical examination reveals an enlarged liver and (or) enlarged spleen. The liver and spleen may be tender when they are gently pressed (palpation). There may be a skin rash present. Laboratory findings often include such characteristic findings as atypical lymphocytes, which are unusual appearing white blood cells that are seen when the blood is examined under a microscope. This sign may persist for 2 to 8 weeks. Abnormalities of liver function are also characteristic.

Common tests for eb include:

a monospot test (positive for infectious mononucleosis)
epstein-barr virus antigen by immunofluorescence (positive for ebv)
a cbc

shows decreased platelet count
shows atypical lymphocytes
a chemistry panel shows abnormal liver enzyme results
other tests that may reflect changes:

lymphocyte count (may become elevated)
rheumatoid factor (may become temporarily positive)
quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)
leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
ldh isoenzymes
ldh
immunoelectrophoresis - serum
febrile/cold agglutinins
cryoglobulins
coombs' test, direct
blood differential
ast
anti-smooth muscle antibody
aldolase

Wow..I feel so bad for him..! Mono can suck..Ive never had it but a friend of mine did.!! It was terrible..!

I wish I could remember what that miracle drug was that they gave me. I know they gave me erthromycin, but that wasn't the miracle drug because I ended up being allergic to that....

Rest is all he can do huni. Just try and keep him comfy and rested!

I just feel so bad. I mean, I know a girl who had mono pretty bad, but I don't think she was even this bad. I mean, he cannot keep anything down. He is throwing up like crazy. He is really tired, but cannot sleep, and is just all around miserable.
It is just hard seeing boys this sick. They usually don't get sick like we (i anyway) do. They usually kick it out after about a day when I stay sick for weeks, but the poor thing is just miserable!
I get soooo mad at him sometimes, but I love him and don't like to see him suffer.
Thanks though girls. I didn't think there was anything that could be done, but I was hoping.

Make sure he doesnt get dehydrated! All that throwing up is getting rid of all the fluids in his body. Also, if he calls the doctor they may be able to call him in something for nausea and vomitting. Thats the worst kinda sick to be...I would rather do anything than throw up!

Like everyone said, all he can really do is rest. Mono passes with time. I missed a month of school because of it. Lots of water and rest.

Yep, that's glandular fever (found a site that tells me glandular fever is caused by epstein barr virus) the symptoms are identical.
And I totally agree. I've been fortunate enough to not have it but I had a friend who missed her entire exam year at school with it.
Odd how never heard it called mono

Mononucleosis......Maybe they call it different names from country to country. Who knows.
He has jaundice now. Urgh. He looks so gross! Not to be mean to him, but gosh he looks horrible. And then he worked an 8 hour shift today! That makes me soooo mad!

Wow is that safe for him to do?
Maybe you'll have to tie him to his bed to force him to rest, and rest really does sound like his best treatment.
Can they give him something for the jaundice?

I don't think it is safe for him to do. I mean if he was recovering from mono or not that sick, maybe, but he is just too sick if you ask me.
I don't know if they can give him anything for the jaundice or not. I know it is a side effect, but it isn't safe is it? I mean, should he get meds for it?

The internet is a wonderful tool

the yellowish tinge of jaundice is the result of a build-up in the blood of a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the body's ongoing effort to refresh the blood supply. During this process, old and damaged red blood cells are removed from circulation by the spleen, where they are broken down into waste products and returned to the bloodstream for elimination. The hemoglobin in the red blood cells becomes bilirubin, which is then filtered from the bloodstream by the liver and discarded in the bile that drains from the liver into the intestinal tract. Any malfunction that interrupts this process can lead to the build-up of bilirubin that ends in jaundice.

For example, a bile duct obstruction or blockage, typically caused by either a tumor or gallstones, will prevent bilirubin from being flushed out into the intestines. Drugs that sometimes tend to inhibit liver function, such as anti-cancer medications, antidepressants, and steroids, can also cause a bilirubin build-up. Anemia in which many red blood cells are destroyed and too much bilirubin is released into the system may bring on jaundice if the liver proves unable to dispose of the bilirubin fast enough. In some cases, jaundice is a result of gilbert's syndrome, a harmless, inherited deficiency in the liver's ability to process bilirubin.

Signs/symptoms
telltale signs include yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, a dark, tea-colored tinge to the urine, and pale or whitish stools. Depending on the underlying cause, you may experience other symptoms. For example, if hepatitis is at fault, you may also suffer from a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Care
the onset of jaundice always requires medical attention, so seek the care of a physician as soon as symptoms appear. The doctor will conduct various tests and procedures, including a blood test and perhaps an ultrasound examination of the abdomen, to confirm the diagnosis and explore related problems.

Once the underlying cause has been diagnosed and treated, the jaundice will disappear. A condition such as hepatitis will require medication, and perhaps a hospital stay depending upon the severity of the condition. If a blockage is at fault, surgery will probably be required to reopen the obstructed bile duct.

Risks
the amount of risk this condition presents depends upon its underlying cause. However, any type of liver malfunction should be taken seriously. If left untreated, it could lead to liver failure.

What you should do
call your doctor if...
You notice any signs of jaundice.
Seek care immediately if...
You begin experiencing intense abdominal pain.
You develop a fever.

Cool, cool
well, he has it because his spleen is swollen and therefore unable to do its job.

It is a symptom of mono and I know they will just tell him to "wait it out" but it worries the crap out of me! Grrrr!