Mono, causes, recurring, and chronic

[Guest guest]

90% of cases of mononucleosis (glandular fever) are caused by the

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). Most of the remaining 10% are caused by

cytomegalovirus (CMV). (Information from the US NIH.)

 

A monospot test is used to diagnose mono in the US. (Other

countries use a different test.) The older tests show either

negative or positive. The newer tests are more sensitive show if

there has been " exposure within 6 months " .

 

If there is reason to suspect recurring or chronic mono, the doctor

may order an EBV titer test. The EBV test tests for 4 antigens.

Depending on the pattern of these 4 antigens, the doctor can tell if

this is the person's first bout with mono, if it's recurring mono,

or if it's chronic mono. There is one antigen that will only be

positive if it is the person's first case of mono and the person

first got mono within the last 6 months.

 

Depending on the pattern of the other 3 antigens, the doctor can

tell if the patient has recurring or chronic mono.

 

Most people recover in a few weeks from mono, but sometimes a person

doesn't.

 

Antibiotics are useless against viral infections. They only work

against bacteria. From a TCM standpoint, antibiotics have Cold

thermal energy. They can cool down the body too much, and the

person can't fight off the virus. In addition to the antibiotic

destroying the good bacteria in the intestinal tract (which are

needed for proper digestion), antibiotics can be harmful from a TCM

standpoint.

 

Some infectious diseases are Cold-induced illnesses. Cold-induced

illnesses have 6 stages. The first 3 stages are Yang stages and

characterized by heat and a low-grade fever. The last 3 stages are

Yin stages, and are characterized by cold.

 

One of these Cold-induced illnesses can progress to the Yin stages

if left untreated. But the more common cause is too vigorous of a

treatment with Cold herbs (or antibiotics) in the Yang stages. If

the infection is viral, the antibiotics not only can push someone

with a Cold-Induced illness into the Yin stages, they are useless

against viruses. The Yin stages are a lot more serious than the Yang

stages.

 

Treatment of a Cold-Induced Illness will vary according to which

stage the person is in. The Western treatment for mono is rest and

vitamins and minerals. Sometimes, if the mono is hanging on, mega

dosages of vitamins and minerals will be needed for a short period

of time.