Mononucleosis Treatment and Symptoms

Mononucleosis or Mono is an infectious disease caused by a virus. This Mono virus affects primarily the lymph tissues or glands that are located in the neck, armpits, and groin. The lymph glands remove many microscopic materials such as bacteria and viruses, thus helping prevent the infection from spreading throughout the body. The disease is spread by coughing, sharing utensils, sneezing, and kissing (also known as the kissing disease). Teenagers (between 10 and 25) are the ones most likely to contract the Mono virus; and when it is present, it is severe, sometimes lasting up to 3 months. The following year, tiredness may return and last a year, but when that is over, there will be no contraction of the disease again. The immune system has learned to fully control the virus.

Symptoms of the Mono virus include sore throat, fever, chills, swollen glands, and extreme fatigue. The disease can be transmitted through communal drinking utensils, kissing, and possibly blood transfusions. In one study, people who had a particular antigen in their blood to fight the virus were immune to the Mono virus.

Adequate rest and a well-balanced, whole-foods diet is essential for the maintenance of general health and for treatment and prevention of the Mono virus. Low-fat dairy products, cod liver oil, egg yolk, liver, kidney, dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits, wheat germ, whole-wheat bread, nuts, vegetable oil, seeds, brewer’s yeast, soybeans, lean meat, fish, brown rice, oatmeal, and poultry are recommended. With Mono avoid alcohol and smoking. Protein is needed to stimulate the formation of antibodies- substances produced by the body to help protect it against other infections that may accompany or follow Mono.

Nutrients that may help with the Mono virus are Potassium and Vitamin C supplements (500 mg 3 times per day) may be needed to compensate for the loss that occurs during fever. The B complex (50 mg daily) is needed for the health of the tissue lining of the throat. Vitamin E, copper, zinc, and selenium are all important. If there is a deficiency of thiamine, riboflavin, or biotin, supplementing these nutrients in the diet may be helpful in preventing fatigue and headaches.

Herbs that may help with the Mono virus are myrrh, dandelion, honeysuckle, Echinacea, red peony, goldenseal, dyer’s woad leaf, forsythia fruit, pau d’arco, and chrysanthemum flowers. Homeopathic remedies include Mercurius 6c, Ailanthus 6c, and Phutolacca 6c.