Mono, or referenced with a more technical term, mononucleosis, seems to be dreaded by many, if not all, college students. Commonly referred to as “the kissing disease” it is understandable why it is a concern among college students.
According to Dr. Jim Davis, Medical Director at the Student Health and Wellness Center, mono doesn’t have a season like the flu does around this time of year. However, he did say that a lot of people came in to the Wellness Center in late August and early September who were infected with mono.
The mono virus can be more severe in some cases than others. Davis provided this information, “A more severe infection might be severe sore throat, enough swelling that there is restriction to breathing, and presence of abdominal pain with enlargement of the spleen and liver.”
Attending class with mono might not be a great idea as it potentially exposes classmates to the disease. “Fatigue is the biggest factor. Also, being ill, feverish, and having sore throat can severely impair your ability to focus on schoolwork and concentrate on learning,” says Davis.
Most cases are not the severest of severe. Every year, two to three students withdraw from Utah State because of complications of mono. On campus, professors are very willing to work with students who have mono. The best approach to staying in school after contracting mono is to keep your professors informed. They like to know how you are doing and if participation in class is a possibility. Also, your ability to get homework done is important to your professors.
For more information about mono visit the Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov
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