We Got Some ExSpleening To Do

It appears I spoke too soon. I don't know where all my organs are located, especially my spleen. This is important because my spleen is swelled up the size of a 2-liter bottle of Coke. That's because I have Mononucleosis, or just Mono for short.

Other than fever, chills and a slight cough, it feels like I'm drunk 24-7. In theory this could be nice. In reality, Mono lasts between two to six weeks and, since it's a virus, there's no treatment other than a little R&R. So it's a good virus to catch if you're behind in your reading! I wonder: Is that why so many college students catch it? Or maybe it's because ...

These people are likely exchanging the Epstein-Barr virus

But seriously, everyone is exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus (the one that causes Mono) at least once in his or her life, usually when she is young and the symptoms aren't too noticeable (wasn't she sick half the time she was a child anyway?) or in her college years when people live stacked on top of each other and bodily fluids are quickly and easily transmitted. My theory? I got it from my roommate, who had Mono back when he was in college and thus continues to be a carrier of the virus to this day (though the host won't show any symptoms, the virus can periodically become "active" again in people who have developed an immunity). That, or too often sharing drinks with friends at the bar. That's a bad practice, folks.