Infectious mononucleosis, generally known as mono, is common among college campuses, and Penn State is no exception.

Mono develops from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is found in saliva. EBV is a member of the herpesvirus family and is one of the most common viruses contracted by humans.

Melissa Graff (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) knows personally how disruptive mono can be to the life of a college student.

"I started feeling sick the first days of finals last fall," Graff said. "I thought I was just run down from studying and lack of sleep."

After seeing a doctor at home, Graff learned she had mono. "It was like the flu only 10 times worse," she said.

She was bedridden for two weeks and forced to withdraw for Spring Semester. Graff's doctor felt her immune system would be too weak to fend off any of the common illness found on college campuses. Graff was also prescribed steroids to calm the severe swelling of her throat.

Receiving medication for mono is only done in extreme cases. Since mono is a viral infection, no antibiotics can be given to treat it.

"There is no cure for mono, or medications since it's a viral disease," said Dr. Edward Rosick of University Health Services (UHS).

Rosick suggests that people can combat mono with lots of rest, eating well and generally taking care of themselves.

A pamphlet handed out by UHS elaborates on ways to care for oneself including increased fluid intake and additional good hygiene.

All of the above suggestions are used to help compensate for the weakened immune system.

Avoiding abdominal pressure to not aggravate possible liver problems associated with severe mono, as well as abstaining from alcohol is also recommended.

"Tylenol (or Ibuprofen) is good for reliving aches and pains associated with mono," said Connie Cavalier, registered nurse and nurse manager at UHS.

"Mono isn't common (in the general public) or very contagious," she said. "It only comes from intimate oral contact."

"People living in such close quarters, sharing drinks and not cleaning as well as they should make mono more likely in college," Cavalier said. "Last semester, 125 people tested positive for mono."

The virus occurs worldwide, however, in the United States as many as 95 percent of adults have been infected by age 40.

When infection with EBV occurs during adolescence or young adulthood, it causes infectious mononucleosis 35 to 50 percent of the time.

\EBV and mono, in their most extreme forms, can be, but rarely are fatal, according to the National Center for Infectious Diseases Web site.

"The symptoms associated with mono are vague," Rosick said. "Without a mono test, it can not be distinguished from those of extreme stress and fatigue."

Students with symptoms such as sore throat, fever, feelings of extreme lethargy and the swelling of lymph glands in the front and back of the neck are signs of mono, Rosick said.

According to the UHS pamphlet, muscle aches and pains, headaches, and possibly swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits and groin are also additional symptoms of the disease.

Students should wait for these symptoms to persist for more then a few days before being tested. Laboratory tests results may not appear positive for mono until a week or more into the illness.