[Northkeep] Zahavah Update

[Susan O'Neal]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
We found out the virus that has made Miriam so sick at her last Dr visit,
she has mono.  I have just done some searching for info on it and will
check tomarrow with her Dr, just to be sure there is nothing to worry
about.  She is continuing to get better, but is exhausted and sleeping
nearly 20 hours a day.  Thank you all for your thoughts and concerns and I
will continue to let you all know how she is doing, with as bad as her
liver had swollen I am so glad that it wasn't anything more drastic.
Susan

Here is where I found info and will quote the main things below, I have
heard there were some concerns about this and just wanted to address
these.  Sorry for the length, but I felt the need to address some issues of
concern reguarding wether she was infectous at Castellan and if there
needed to be concern over that:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/398_mono.html

The disease whose medical name is infectious mononucleosis is most common
in people 10 to 35 years old, with its peak incidence in those 15 to 17
years old. Only 50 people out of 100,000 in the general population get
mono, but it strikes as many as 2 out of 1,000 teens and twenty-somethings,
especially those in high school, college, and the military. While mono is
not usually considered a serious illness, it may have serious
complications. Without a doubt your lifestyle will change for a few months.
You've probably heard people call mono the "kissing disease." But if your
social life is in a slump, you may wonder, "How did I get this 'kissing
disease' when I haven't kissed anyone romantically recently?"
Here's how. Mono is usually transmitted though saliva and mucus--which is
where the "kissing disease" nickname comes from. But the kissing or close
contact that transmits the disease doesn't happen right before you get
sick. The virus that causes mono has a long incubation period: 30 to 50
days from the time you're exposed to it to the time you get sick. In
addition, the virus can be transmitted in other ways, such as sipping from
the same straw or glass as an infected person--or even being close when the
person coughs or sneezes. Also, some people can have the virus in their
systems without ever having symptoms and you can still catch it from them.
Two viruses can cause mono: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus
(CMV). Both viruses are in the herpes family, whose other members include
viruses responsible for cold sores and chickenpox.
EBV causes 85 percent of mono cases. About half of all children are
infected with EBV before they're 5, but at that young age, it usually
doesn't cause any symptoms. If you don't become infected with EBV until
you're a teen or older, you're more likely to develop mono symptoms. After
you're infected, the virus stays with you for life, but usually doesn't
cause any additional symptoms. Still, every now and then you may produce
viral particles in your saliva that can transmit the virus to other people,
even though you feel perfectly fine. By age 40, 85 to 90 percent of
Americans have EBV antibodies, indicating they have the virus in their
systems and are immune to further EBV infection.
CMV is also a very common virus. About 85 percent of the U.S. population is
infected with it by the time they reach adulthood. As with EBV, CMV is
frequently symptomless, and mono most often results when infection occurs
in the teens and 20s. Sore throat is less common in people who have CMV
mono than in those infected with EBV.  (snip)
Some people with mono become overly sensitive to light and about half
develop enlargement of the spleen, usually two to three weeks after they
first become sick. Mild enlargement of the liver may also occur.
Whether or not the spleen is enlarged, people who have mono should not lift
heavy objects or exercise vigorously--including participating in contact
sports--for two months after they get sick, because these activities
increase the risk of rupturing the spleen, which can be life-threatening.
If you have mono and get a severe sharp, sudden pain on the left side of
your upper abdomen, go to an emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Because its symptoms can be very similar to those of other illnesses,
doctors often recommend tests to find out exactly what the problem is. (snip)
The test most commonly used to tell whether you have mono or some other
ailment is the mononucleosis spot test. This blood test detects the
antibodies (proteins) that the body makes to fight EBV or CMV. Because it
takes a while for antibodies to develop after infection, your doctor may
need to order or repeat the test one to two weeks after you develop
symptoms. At that time the test is about 85 percent accurate.
Other tests your doctor might order include a complete blood count (CBC) to
see if your blood platelet count is lower than normal and if lymphocytes
are abnormal, and a chemistry panel to see if liver enzymes are abnormal.
Bed rest is the most important treatment for uncomplicated mono. It's also
important to drink plenty of fluids. Mono is not usually a reason to
quarantine students. Many people are already immune to the viruses that
cause it. But if you have mono you'll want to stay in bed and out of
classes for several days, until the fever goes down and other symptoms
abate. Even when you've started to get better, you can expect to have to
curtail your activities for several weeks, and it can take two to three
months or more until you feel your old self again.
The author of this article had mono herself when she was 16. Though she
didn't mind getting out of all that homework (or at least putting it off),
having to delay finals only added to her anxiety about college applications
that many high school juniors experience. And then there was that guy who
never called again.
When you add the time spent recuperating to the fact that most people are
not exactly anxious to get close to a person with mono, you can understand
why some students find themselves combating loneliness on top of their
other troubles.
Getting through mono may be both challenging and depressing--and seem to
take forever. But if you rest when your body tells you to, you can lessen
the chances of complications and get back your life.
Judith Levine Willis is a member of FDA's public affairs staff.

Here is another site, saying that "the infection does not need to be
reported and no medication is needed for contacts. "
http://www.choa.org/infectious/mono.shtml

Other incubation timeline,
http://www.marysherbs.com/heal-mon.htm
The cytomegalovirus (mono virus) is found in saliva and at one time
believed to only be transferred through kissing, sharing eating utensils or
drinking after someone either from their glass or from a water fountain.
The latest medical book says that it can be passed by air-borne droplets
from coughing or sneezing.
One medical book says that the incubation period for mono is anywhere from
5 days to 2 weeks, while another says symptoms occur 4 to 7 weeks after
exposure. Viruses on a whole are very resilient, so it might be wise to use
precautions to allow for either of the projected incubation periods.
Recovering from mono may take more time, there have been cases where
someone takes up to a year to recuperate.
Bed rest is important for all mono sufferers but is vital for those who may
experience an enlargement of the spleen or liver. The body heals best when
it is at rest





Susan, in Service to
Truth, Beauty, Freedom,
But above all...
Love.
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