Mono
mononucleosis
Mono and EBV
Mono or mononucleosis is a virus that is derived from EBV or Epstein-Barr Virus. EBV is an infection that once you have it in your system, it can lead to mono. EBV is inactive in your body, but once your immune system becomes weakened, it can become active. The shape of mono is spherical and it has glycoprotein spikes around the outside. The nucleic acid inside of mono is DNA.
Mode of Infection
The way that you catch mono, or mononucleosis is through saliva. This means that you could catch it if drink after someone, kiss someone, etc. Very rarely, but sometimes, you can catch mono after getting blood from someone who is infected with EBV.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mono are fever, sore throat, swollen glans in the neck and armpits, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness, swollen tonsils, and night sweats.
Origin/Currently/Outbreaks
Mono originated in the 1920's. The virus is found everywhere because the disease comes from EBV, the most common virus in the world. A school in Oklahoma had a mono outbreak on November 25, 2014, and the school had to cancel classes until December because of the widespread outbreak.
Likely Victim
Mono can be found in any ethnicity; one race isn't more likely to get it than another. Mono is mainly found in adolescents and young adults, but it can still be found in all ages.
Treatment and Prevention
There is no real treatment for mono, and antibiotics don't work against these type of viral infections. The only treatment is rest in bed and drink plenty of fluids. To prevent catching mono, you should not kiss people, share food or drink, or use items from another person that goes in your mouth.