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How Do I Use Amoxicillin for Mono?
If you are using amoxicillin for mono, you are probably making a mistake. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. Mononucleosis, known as the kissing disease, is a viral disease; therefore, antibiotics do not do any good. In order to better understand the reasons why amoxicillin for mono is not a good idea, it helps to know a bit more about each factor.
Mononucleosis occurs due to viral exposure and reproduction. It is sometimes called the kissing disease because of its frequency among school-aged adolescents and its spread through interpersonal contact. The actual virus that is responsible for mono is the EBV virus, standing for Ebstein-Barr.
Viruses in the medical world are a particularly difficult menace to deal with. Sometimes, the body can be prepared for a virus through the use of a vaccine, although vaccines are limited and do not work for all viral conditions. The best way to treat viruses that cannot be eradicated or prevented is to target the uncomfortable symptoms associated with them and to boost the immune system.
The immune system can be working to full effect if you get the right amount of rest and supplement this defense mechanism with all the necessary vitamins. Vitamin C and many B vitamins have been known to increase immunity. If you have been diagnosed with mono, do your best to rest well and eat a healthy diet rich in relevant nutrients. A doctor or health professional is best suited to diagnose through a blood test, and any professional advice should be taken very seriously if you wish to recover.
Sometimes, mono can appear like a different ailment at first, which is why amoxicillin for mono is sometimes prescribed. Amoxicillin is a very commonly used antibiotic due to its availability and broad spectrum of uses. This drug can be used for strep throat, skin infections, and urinary tract infections among many other potential uses. The dosage and frequency depend heavily on the individual and situation for which it is being utilized.
Amoxicillin for mono, like many antibiotics used for people with mono, has been known to have adverse effects. Some research studies suggest that as many as 90% of people have developed rashes while being treated with amoxicillin for mono. This reason alone is enough to hopefully keep someone from taking such measures while fighting mono; however, even more harmful side effects may take place. Always conduct any recovery measures under the direct supervision of a trusted health care professional to avoid any potentially harmful conditions in an already uncomfortable situation.
Discussion Comments
I heard that this is how some doctors suspect and diagnose mono. They prescribe antibiotics thinking that the sore throat, cough and fever are due to a bacterial infection. If the person doesn't get better after the antibiotic treatment, then they do a test for mono. Isn't this kind of ridiculous though?
@burcinc-- I was in a similar situation.
Mono is not treated with antibiotics. In fact, antibiotics make mono worse and tend to cause an Epstein-Barr rash. But in situations where mono causes complications and opens doors for bacterial infections, doctors can give antibiotics.
I was given antibiotics along with anti-inflammatory medications, fever reducers and blood pressure medications when I developed myocarditis as a complication of mono. I was sick for months.
So I think that if a mono infection isn't accompanied by a bacterial infection, it's left alone. But if things are getting worse rather than better and if the patient develops more problems and infections, then antibiotics are considered.
I was actually given amoxicillin when I had mono because I also had a strep throat. I don't know how I got both together, but my doctor felt that it was better for me to take the antibiotics. I think the antibiotics helped with my recovery with mono too because when the strep throat was treated, my immune system could tackle the mono better. At least, that's how I felt.
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