Could I have gotten Mono from my boyfriend?

Question

Two nights ago, my boyfriend got diagnosed with mono. Since mono apparently hangs around in your body before you even show symptoms, is it possible that I may have gotten it from him, but my symptoms haven't shown up yet? I have a little bit of a sore throat and my mom got worried that I may have Mono, so she called the doctor. The doctor said unless symptoms start to show up, I'll have to wait a month to get tested! School starts in a week and a half and I'm worried that if I don't get diagnosed by then, I'll infect other people in school, which I don't want to do. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I hate to agree with your mom and your dr., they are right!..

that's why the common names for it, ar 'infectious mono", or the 'kissing disease..it's spread thru saliva(so it's frequently in the 15-17 age group, when teenager's are starting to kiss, etc.), or by sharing a drink or utensils, at least until the fever has stopped in the person with the symptoms..so i guess it will depend on how 'intimate you were'..note it's not just from kissing..just sharing a meal and touching can do it...

you probably know the common symptoms, but here they are anyway:

Some adult patients suffer fever, tiredness, lassitude (abnormal fatigue), depression, lethargy, and chronic lymph node swelling, for months or years.

Prevention

Mononucleosis is spread through saliva. If you're infected, you can help prevent spreading the virus to others by not kissing them and by not sharing food, dishes, glasses and utensils until several days after your fever has subsided and even longer, if possible.

The Epstein-Barr virus may persist in your saliva for months after the infection. There's no vaccine to prevent mononucleosis.

Laboratory findings usually include an elevated white blood cell count and abnormal liver function tests. The white cell count elevation is predominantly in the lymphocyte portion, and of those the majority is often of the atypical form characteristic of the disease.

Specific tests for EBV include:

A monospot test (positive for infectious mononucleosis)

Epstein-Barr virus antigen by immunofluorescence (positive for EBV)

Epstein-Barr virus antibody titers to help distinguish acute infection from past infection with EBV

Being tested for infectious mononucleosis is fairly simple. A finger prick is typically done and a small drop of blood dropped onto the monospot card, which is then taken and checked for the white blood cell count.

Mononucleosis is typically transmitted from asymptomatic individuals through saliva, earning it the name "the kissin disease", or by sharing a drink, or sharing eating utensils. As with many viral infections, such as chicken pox, antibodies are developed by individuals who become infected with the disease and recover. In most individuals, these antibodies remain in their system, creating lifelong immunity to further infections.

Atypical presentations of mononucleosis/EBV infection

In small children, the course of the disease is frequently asymptomatic. Some adult patients suffer fever, tiredness, lassitude (abnormal fatigue), depression, lethargy, and chronic lymph node swelling, for months or years. This variant of mononucleosis has been referred to as chronic EBV syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), although CFS is a distinct condition from IM. Still, current studies suggest there is an association between infectious mononucleosis and CFS.[3] In case of a weakening of the immune system, a reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus is possible; in CFS there is evidence of immune activation also. "Chronic fatigue states" as defined

revention

Mononucleosis is spread through saliva. If you're infected, you can help prevent spreading the virus to others by not kissing them and by not sharing food, dishes, glasses and utensils until several days after your fever has subsided and even longer, if possible.

The Epstein-Barr virus may persist in your saliva for months after the infection. There's no vaccine to prevent mononucleosis.

So, that's the scoop, it may not affect you, but you may test positive, and have the virus in your system forever!  I have cfs(chronic fatigue syndrome), which is a very serious illness, that caused me to be in bed for 6 years, i didn't have mono..but my friend did, and apparently 5% do get cfs from mono..

So at this point, it's a waiting game, waiting to see if you get the extreme fatigue, try not to play sports, or things that would speed your metabolism and make you more vulnerable..do, do all the things you would to prevent a common cold..tons of fluids, lot's of vitamin c(like 4-5ooo mg..enough to just start getting diarrhea, then cut back), careful handwashing, and isolating yourself to prevent spreading it to your family and friends, till you know for sure what's what..you could take garlic pills, echanicea, drops of oil of oregano(antibiotic, anti-viral, natural), and all sorts of things that people believe will help prevent viral infections.l.for some reason they don't tend to use anti-viral drugs.

IMPORTANT: did you get the sore throat before or after your boyfriend got sick?  asnd yes, i don't think you should be going to school, until your dr. gives the go-ahead, because you are probably very contagious(remember, saliva transmission)..so you'd have to be so careful, even if he did okay it.

I am so sorry to hear of your predicament..to be flooded with fear, the effect this will have on your relationship with your boyfriend and friends, not being able to go to school, having to wait around endlessly..it wi

Answer 2

Mono is not the dreaded scourge it once was, due to vastly improved methods of treatment, and it is not quite as contagious as once thought.  Intimate contact is still the most common means of transmission, and I doubt you'll go around the first few days of school tongue-kissing (or French kissing) all your classmates.  

Yes, you might have contracted mono from your boyfriend, but your doctor is correct: it's now considered reasonable to wait and see instead of leaping in with all sorts of aggressive treatments - which may not be needed, and all of which carry the potential for unwanted effects such as encouraging drug-resistant germs.  I know, we didn't used to react this way.  But even doctors keep on going back to school periodically - it's necessary in order to keep up with the latest discoveries.  

The only suggestions you really need from the health professions is - wash your hands often and use facial tissues (kleenex, for instance) any time you cough or sneeze to confine the spray of infective droplets that result from either happenstance.

Answer 3

The best thing to do is not to let anyone drink or eat after you. Definitely do not kiss anyone. This can be spread through your salava. My daughters friend had mono and it's a very serious illness. But being said it being your boyfriend you've got a good chance of having it.  

Answer 4

Of course you can.. I did.

Answer 5

if you think you might have it and your boyfrind has it you could pass it on to other people so dont share drinks or drink out of the water fountains at school or any public places. you might have it so dont take chances.

Answer 6

Unless you're sharing cups or sodas or kissing people at school, they should be OK.

Answer 7

Hmmmm never knew anybody who had the disease....Hope I never willl... You need to see what your boyfriend has been doing? I would be mad at him if I found out he had mono. Who has he been kissing other than you... anyways

Good Luck hope you don't have mono!!!

Answer 8

ya don't care about other people in  your school...care about yourself =]

Answer 9

Its possible.