Heading off to college is the first giant step toward independence for many teens. As an autonomous member of your family, you are suddenly left to fend for yourself, while sharpening your problem-solving skills and advancing into adult life. It's an educational, stressful and fun time. 

However, once left to your own devices, college life may cause your health to plummet. Poor nutrition, enclosed dorm conditions, forced heating and cooling, coupled with, academic stress, social activities, anxiety and other outside circumstances can inevitably burden the body, laying the groundwork for illness.

Some of the most popular campus ailments include, but are not limited to; upper respiratory infections, Influenza, stomach viruses, and conjunctivitis.

Then there's Mononucleosis, taking down one out of every two hundred college students in one fell swoop.

What is Mononucleosis?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Mononucleosis or Infectious mononucleosis, (also called “Mono,”) is a contagious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV.) EBV is herpetic in nature, like the herpes virus. Enlarged spleen and a swollen liver are typical symptoms of Mono. For some people, the liver or spleen or both can remain enlarged, even after fever and fatigue ends. A blood test is used to diagnose the disease.

Mono is transmitted by saliva, which is why it's commonly called the "kissing disease." Over 3 million cases of Mononucleosis are reported each year. Symptoms generally include:

FatigueFeverRashSwollen glands in the throat and lymph nodesMedical Doctors Say There's Nothing You Can Do For Mono

There isn't a whole lot recommended by way of medical treatments to relieve the symptoms of Mono, or prevent EBV from making its permanent home in your body, Once diagnosed, doctors often recommend rest for  2-4 weeks, avoiding sports and alcohol, drinking fluids and taking over-the-counter pain meds to ease Mono symptoms. It is a virus after all. 

When You Know More, You Can Do More. 

Dealing with Mono and it's evil twin EBV can be done naturally once you know what you're dealing with. EBV has four stages according to Anthony William, Medical Medium:

Stage 1  - is the dormant period. EBV is in your bloodstream getting ready to strike.Stage 2 - Mono is present. Symptoms appear and the virus looks for a permanent home in one or more of your organs.Stage 3 - EBV nestles itself in the liver or spleen and/or other organs where it strengthens to make its next move.Stage 4 - EBV gets into and inflames the central nervous system wrecking havoc on your body.

Getting a diagnosis of Mono means you are in Stage II of the disease. Essentially, your body is now at war with EBV, fighting hard not to let the virus make its home in your organs. Sadly, the nature of EBV is so insidious and unrelenting, that a weakened body often loses the fight when nothing is done to prevent it. This is why it is essential to make an heroic attempt to take down EBV's viral load before it sets up camp. 

Offense Is the Best Defense

Now that you know what the Epstein Barr virus has planned for you, its time to strike back. You must take an active role in heading EBV off at the pass, now. this is your only opportunity to cut off the Epstein Barr Virus before it has the opportunity to multiply. Thankfully, this can be done easily and effectively and you can heal, but you'll need to follow some rules.

Rule No. 1: Do not feed Epstein Barr

A virus can not feed and reproduce by itself; instead, it needs a host to accomplish this. The Epstein Barr Virus sustains itself by feeding off of foods you eat. It also feeds on heavy metals in the bloodstream and it feeds of adrenaline that is caused by stress. You have to stop feeding Epstein Barr Virus now. This means adopting a plant-based diet that is void of dairy, wheat, corn, and soy, which feed the virus.

Rule No. 2: Drink liquids With A Purpose

Some people think they can flush EBV out of the body if they drink enough water. This is simply not true. What you're flushing out of the body are body salts and other trace minerals, and you need these to remain healthy. Drinking liquids with a purpose means nourishing yourself with fresh organic juices and herbal teas as much as possible during this time. Both juices and teas are highly beneficial to healing. Fresh citrus juices, lemon tea and ginger tea are particularly health promoting, cleansing and anti-inflammatory.

Rule No. 3: Take down Epstein Barr's Viral Load

There are plants and food provided by nature that have antiviral properties strong enough to knock down your viral load safely and efficiently. These foods taken in combination can help stop EBV from highjacking your cells. 

Raw organic honey is an amazing source of phytonutrients. It has antibiotic, anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic, anti-aging and anticancer properties that help to stop EBV from making a home in your body. Honey can be eaten raw, by the tablespoon, or could be added to warm water with a squeeze of lemon to get a maximum healing benefit. Vitamin C is vital to take during the Mono phase of EBV, and beyond. Vitamin C is highly anti-inflammatory and encourages healing. Vitamin C is especially healing if the source of it is fresh (preferably organic) juices from wild berries, grapes, oranges or grapefruit juices. If fresh juices are not available, Vitamin C can be supplemented. Both Ester C or Liposomal Vitamin C are the most bioavailable.L-lysine is an amino acid that is major disruptor of EBV. L-lysine impairs the ability of the virus' cells to move and reproduce, stopping EBV in its tracks.Spirulina is a blue green algae with major nutrition and health benefits! Spirulina is one of nature's most effective super-foods/multi-vitamins. It can jack up your immune system enough to help fight off EBV and Mono symptoms quickly and efficiently and lays the groundwork for health.Elderberry Syrup is another amazingly effective booster of the immune system. Elderberries grow wild. The syrup is antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer due to it's raw honey content. Incidentally elderberry in itself is an excellent source of Vitamin B 17, as well as other important antioxidants and phytonutrients. Elderberry Syrup should be taken daily during the Mono phase of EBV and beyond to improve and maintain health.Golden Seal Throat Spray with Echinacea is antibacterial and alleviates respiratory symptoms and swelling while soothing and healing the throat. Use as needed to ease throat pain.Cat's Claw is a plant who's bark is used for medicine. The name cat's claw comes from the thorns on the plant's leaves that look like the claws of a cat. Cat's Claw is a useful herb that acts as a natural steroid, bringing down inflammation of the throat, liver and/or spleen, while lowering EB's viral load.Red Clover is a herbaceous species of flowering plant from the bean family. It is cleansing to the lymphatic system, the liver and the spleen. Like L-lysine, Red Clover is also helpful in taking down EBV and stopping it dead in its tracks. Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family. Lemon Balm is essential in ending EBV since, it too is antiviral. Lemon Balm also helps to calm digestion as well as the nervous system.Turmeric is arguably the most powerful at reversing disease and is a  highly powerful anti-inflammatory. Turmeric is a safer replacement for ibuprofen thanks to its main ingredient curcumin, and can be taken by capsule, juiced or as a fresh tea.

Having the above remedies on hand is the best defense you've got Mono. These strategies will prove highly effective in stopping EBV from setting up camp in your organs and wrecking havoc on your body.  Keeping your diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in fat will not only help to heal Mono, but will work in lessening and even eradicating EB's destructive viral load for good. The Amazon links to all of these remedies are available for you on my supplements page. 

Take care of you!