Mononucleosis

[Avalux]

I've been reading the pregnancy rumors and 'coincidental' case of the teenage Ms. Palin. Thought I'd write this up and give some background about the disease along with my own thoughts:

Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus; a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses. Most people become infected with EBV during their lifetime but exhibit no symptoms. When infection occurs during the adolescent years and causes an acute immunological response w/symptoms, it's called mononucleosis (increase of white blood cells with a single nucleus).

Mononucleosis is spread through saliva and is often referred to as "the kissing disease". Ms. Palin would have contracted it from someone with which she had contact with their saliva either by kissing, using their toothbrusht, etc.

Incubation is 4-6 weeks, then acute symptoms of fever, sore throat and swollen lymph glands. There can also be liver and spleen involvement. Difinitive diagnosis is determined by serology and there is no treatment except steroids if symptoms are severe. Most cases completely resolve in 6-8 weeks; however isolation of infected individuals is not necessary and they can return to normal activities as symptoms lessen.

Severe cases are possible but rare; seldom lasting for more than 4 months. If a case of mononucleosis lasts longer, serological evidence is often negative and there more than likely is an underlying chronic illness.

If Ms. Palin did indeed have mononucleosis and remained at home, isolated for 5 months, I would expect she had an extremely rare case of mono or has another chronic illness impacting her recovery.

[Tesla]

1. did the time co-incide with the pregnancy exactly?

I haven't seen the dates

[Avalux]

4. I haven't seen the dates either. I would like to though.

What I've read say she was at home for 5 months during the pregnancy; however no dates are provided. If you find them let me know!

[fishnfla]

2. someone sick for that long would have more signs and symptoms

your innards get a screwed up when you are that ill, and the steroids would have myriad side effects

all protected by HIPPA laws, we'll never know beyond speculation

[Lyric]

3. Mono is not necessarily spread through kissing.

One common way to "catch" mono is by kissing someone who has been infected, which is how the illness got its "kissing disease" nickname. If you have never been infected with EBV, kissing someone who is infected can put you at risk for getting the disease.

But what if you haven't kissed anyone? You can also get mononucleosis through other types of direct contact with saliva (spit) from someone infected with EBV, such as by sharing a straw, a toothbrush, or an eating utensil.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/common/mononucleosis.html

[Avalux]

5. That's true, although majority of data is kissing.

I will edit. :hi:

[qazplm]

6. who fucking cares?

I do not care. The American people will not care. And you have no proof. So she tried to protect her daughters reputation in a highly religious and conservative community. So what? There are a thousand reasons not to like the woman or want her VP. Reasons for which we have ample evidence.

[Avalux]

7. I'm giving an assessment of the rumors.

And if she is covering for her daughter, it's not OK.

[qazplm]

12. sure it is

a mother covering for her daughter is always going to be viewed as ok.

[Avalux]

13. Not when she wants to reverse Roe V. Wade.

It's the height of hypocrisy and selfishness. It's trying to hide what she perceives as a family scandal to protect her political career.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

8. I got mono from a cafeteria @ college...

Huge outbreak at the time... I was the third person diagnosed by 10:00am that day when the med center opened at 9am.

Lasted 4 awful weeks- in time for finals.

Happy freshman year to me!

On the upside, I met some of my best friends at school while sick- they were the ones there for me- to let me sleep in spare beds to get out of my room; to bring me soup, and get my classwork.

Ok, back to your regular speculation....

[justiceischeap]

9. I incubated 4-6 weeks before High School graduation

Then on Graduation night, I came down with the fever, sore throat, swollen glands. My doctors kept misdiagnosing me. They'd give me antibiotics and I'd be fine after taking them but as soon as I'd go off, I'd be so sick again.

Anyway, I got sick in early June and was pretty sick until October of the same year. It was an awful experience.

[ensho]

10. I had it in my late 20s. in bed, in pain, in high fever for weeks on end

with no let up. spent 6 wks. in bed, doctor wanted it longer but family was tired of caring for my two pre schoolers, so I dragged myself up.

my brother had it in college and ended up in the hosp. near death.

neither one of these cases took 5 mos.

[norepubsin08]

11. My wife had it at 20 years old

she was sick for 3 weeks and then up and ready to fight the world again...8 months of mono in a healthy 16 year old is bullshit. Also if mono is spread thru kissing, what'sa 16 year pure as the driven snow fundy daughter doing kissing anyway?

[justiceischeap]

14. Read my post, I was sick with Mono for 5 months

Because I was misdiagnosed.

[VermeerLives]

15. Mono

My sister died in July 1975 of Burkitts Lymphoma. She was treated at the University of Minnesota. Her cancer cells were very similar to infectious mono, and the doctors thought she might have had a latent form of mono the summer before.

[justiceischeap]

17. Okay, so now you're just scaring me!

I'm sorry about your sister though.

[L0oniX]

16. Ms. Palin ...too much ass kissing?

[Midlodemocrat]

18. Mono is not always caused by the EBV.

And, the current protocol is to treat the symptoms of mono, ie, throat pain with analgesics and treat the swelling of the spleen and the lymph glands with a prednisone taper. The steroid allows the patient to feel better almost within a week, because the inflammation has subsided markedly.

Additionally, a patient who does not allow himself/herself to full heal from mono runs the risk of developing EB later in life. Something for which there truly is no treatment.

Five months? Surely someone saw this child during her incubation for mono? A teacher? A friend? Although mono is THOUGHT to be shockingly contagious, it truly isn't. It is transmitted via saliva. It is not an airborne disease.

This doesn't wash. Sorry.