Mononucleosis is a contagious disease which spreads when a healthy person comes in contact with the saliva of the infected person. The saliva can be transferred through kissing, sharing person belonging such as toothbrush or utensils, sneezing and contacting.
How To Prevent Mono?
Prevention is better than cure. The saying goes well about all the disease. However, this becomes more important when it comes to contagious disease. One such example of contagious disease is mononucleosis which is caused by kissing or coming in contact with the saliva of the infected person. Thus, the prevention of this disease is to stay away from the infected person and also improving the immune system. The strategy also includes a healthy diet, exercise, and sound sleep.
- Keep Yourself Healthy. Follow a healthy routine is a primary requirement to stay away from the disease especially that overcomes the immune system. Thus, a person should follow a healthy routine, avoid smoking and alcohol and limit the intake of junk food.
- Avoid Kissing. Mononucleosis is caused when a healthy person comes in contact with the saliva of the infected person. There might be chances that the infected person does not even know about the infection. Kissing should be avoided with the person who has been diagnosed with this disease.
- Do Not Share Personal Things. Personal things should not be shared with the patient who was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Personal things include utensils or toothbrush.
- Practice Hygiene. Hygiene should be practiced at every stage if the person has the risk of contracting mononucleosis. The hands should be frequently washed with antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer. Further, do not touch or rub the eyes with hands.
- Avoid Contact With Infected People. In order to prevent himself from infecting, the person should avoid contact with a person who has recently diagnosed with mononucleosis. There are high chances that the person might get infected.
- Healthy Diet. In order to improve immunity, the person should take a healthy diet. Antioxidant-rich foods such as berries should be incorporated into the diet; Vitamin C rich fruits such as lemon, papaya, and orange to be consumed by the person for increasing immunity. Other foods that can be incorporated in the diet include beta-glucan, berberine and olive.
- Exercise. Exercise keeps the person healthy and fit and also helps proper functioning of all the cells in the body including cells. Thus, exercise should be included in the daily routine.
- Good Sleep. Sound sleep is another way to improve mental as well as physical health. If the person lacks sleep, it would take a toll on his health and the person feels lethargic.
- Disinfect Common Things. If any member of the family gets diagnosed with mononucleosis, the common things of the house such as doorknobs, light switches, and telephones should be disinfected with antibacterial wipes.
- Cover Your Mouth. The mouth should be covered while talking to a person diagnosed with mononucleosis as sneezing or coughing may spread the infection along with saliva.
Treatment Of Mono
The treatment of the disease is generally directed to the management of the symptoms. The symptoms include pain, fever, swelling, and opportunistic infections. Following are the treatment options in mononucleosis.
- Analgesics. Analgesic drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen are used to reduce pain.
- Antipyretics. Paracetamol is prescribed to reduce fever.
- Antibiotics. Antibiotics are ineffective in viral infection but helps to reduce the risk of opportunistic infection. Further, antibiotics may also reduce the symptoms of a sore throat that may be infected with bacteria.
- Steroids. Corticosteroids can be used in patients who have a complicated form of mononucleosis. These complications include hemolytic anemia, CNS involvement, impeding air obstruction, and thrombocytopenia.
- Antivirals. No antiviral medication is effective in the treatment of the Epstein Barr virus. Acyclovir and ganciclovir reduce viral shredding, but they are not clinically effective.
Conclusion
Prevention strategies of mononucleosis include avoiding kissing, not sharing personal things, frequently disinfecting the commonly used things, eating a healthy diet, exercise and sound sleep.
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