The Health Center is reporting an increase in the number ofmononucleosis cases during the last two weeks, Dr. Kent Bullis, themedical director of the center, said Monday.
Bullis said eight students tested positive for mono Friday.Usually, he said, at most three students test positive eachday.
Bullis said he doesn't know why the increase occurred, althoughhe said that recent warm changes in weather and tight livingconditions might be to blame.
The fast-paced lifestyle of most students might also contribute,he said.
"'Mono' is highly contagious, and virtually everyone gets itsooner or later," Bullis said.
About 99 percent of young adults are infected with "mono" by thetime they reach 22-to-23-years of age, Bullis said.
Even though the illness is contagious, people cannot spread itthrough casual contact alone, according to a Health Centerpamphlet. Infectious mononucleosis is transmitted through saliva,giving "mono" its other nickname, "the kissing disease."
Bullis said avoiding "mono" might be as easy as washinghands.
"It's incredible how many people don't wash their hands afterthey go to the bathroom," he said.
Bullis said he advises students to frequently wash their hands,keep their hands away from their faces and avoid putting objects,such as pencils, in their mouths.
In the early stages of the illness, symptoms closely resemblethat of the flu. Severe fatigue, headache, sore throat, chillsfollowed by fever and muscle aches could all be indications of"mono," according to the medical Web site www.webmd.com.
In severe cases, "mono" can cause jaundice, strep, inflammationof the liver and rupturing of the spleen, according to the HealthCenter pamphlet.
"Mono" can remain in a person's system weeks or months after allsymptoms of the disease are gone. It also can remain dormant forthe same amount of time before symptoms become evident, accordingto the site.
Bullis said about 85 percent of people who have "mono" have asevere sore throat and just "want to sleep all day."
For those infected, treatment options are slim, according to theHealth Center pamphlet. Because the illness is viral, antibioticsare useless. Plenty of bed rest, pain relievers such asacetaminophen and extra fluids are recommended.
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