Transmission
Mononucleosis is transmitted from person to person. It can be transmitted through infected cervical secretions. Mononucleosis is mainly transmitted, however, through oral secretions, especially saliva. Due to the main form of transmission, mononucleosis is also known as "the kissing disease" (Chamberlain). Mononucleosis has the highest rates of incidence in young adults between the ages of fifteen and twenty five.
Treatment
The main form of treatment is hydration, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain, throat lozenges, and gargling with salt water to reduce pharyngeal discomfort, and plenty of rest (Ebell). Mononucleosis contains similar symptoms to bacterial pharyngitis or strep throat. If doctors only base their diagnosis on clinical symptoms, the patient with mononucleosis may receive antibiotic treatment like ampicillin or amoxicillin. If prescribed these drugs, patients with mononucleosis can develop rashes on their bodies which mislead physicians into thinking the patients are allergic to these antibiotics (Chamberlain).
Prevention
There is no vaccine to prevent mononucleosis. To protect yourself from contracting this disease, you should not kiss or share drinks, food, and personal items with someone who is infected with mononucleosis (CDC). |
| Picture retrieved from RBSS Infectious Diseases |
I think these preventative and treatment methods are effective. Antibiotic resistance is a problem in the world that is becoming increasingly larger due to the overuse of antibiotics. Mononucleosis is effectively treated without the use of antibiotics and is therefore not contributing the the overuse of antibiotics creating the problematic antibiotic resistance.
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