Subject: Mononucleosis Information
From: "Min Kim" <[email-masked]>
Date: 6 Apr 2015 21:19:47 -0400

Friends,

Recently, we have had several cases of mononucleosis diagnosed in the Upper School.  Please review the information below about this virus.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jasmin Whitfield, our School Nurse, at [email-masked].

Sincerely,

Mamadou

Mamadou Guèye|Upper School Principal|Sidwell Friends School|

3825 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016|

[email-masked]|Tel. 202.537.8162|Fax. 202.537.8178

What is Mono?

Mononucleosis is a viral infection causing fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Mononucleosis, or mono, is often spread by saliva and close contact. It is also known as "the kissing disease” although it can be spread other ways, such as exposure through coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms

Mono may begin slowly with fatigue, a general ill feeling, headache, and sore throat. The sore throat slowly gets worse.

Symptoms of mononucleosis include:

• Drowsiness

• Fever

• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling

• Loss of appetite

• Muscle aches or stiffness

• Rash

• Sore throat

• Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck and armpit

• Swollen spleen

Less frequently occurring symptoms include:

• Chest pain

• Cough

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Hives

• Jaundice (yellow color to the skin)

• Neck stiffness

• Nosebleed

• Rapid heart rate

• Sensitivity to light

• Shortness of breath

Calling your health care provider

The initial symptoms of mono feel very much like a typical viral illness. It is not necessary to contact a health care provider unless symptoms last longer than 10 days or you develop the following:

• Abdominal pain

• Breathing difficulty

• Persistent high fevers (more than 101.5°F)

• Severe headache

• Severe sore throat or swollen tonsils

• Weakness in the arm or legs

• Yellow discoloration of your eyes or skin

Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you develop:

• Sharp, sudden, severe abdominal pain

• Significant difficulty swallowing or breathing

• Stiff neck or severe weakness

Prevention

Persons with mononucleosis may be contagious while they have symptoms and for up to a few months afterwards. How long someone with the disease is contagious

varies. The virus can live for several hours outside the body. Avoid kissing, sharing utensils, or liquids if you or someone close to you has mono.

www.nih.gov

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