What can be mistaken for mono?

Beware: There are other diseases that can mimic mononucleosis:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) mononucleosis.
  • Toxoplasma gondii infection.
  • Acute retroviral syndrome due to HIV infection.
  • HHV-6 (human herpes virus 6)
  • Adenovirus infection.
  • Primary infection with herpes simplex virus type 1.
  • Strep pyogenes pharyngitis (“strep throat”)

What virus is similar to mono?

A growing number of pathogens have been reported to cause heterophile-negative mononucleosis-like illnesses, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), adenovirus, herpes simplex virus (HSV), Streptococcus pyogenes, and Toxoplasma gondii.

Can you be around someone with mono and not get it?

To make things even more confusing, some people can carry the virus without ever getting any mono symptoms. So they may not know they have been infected, but they can still pass it to others. In fact, most people have been infected with EBV by the time they reach adulthood.

How else can you get mono besides kissing?

While the most common way for the virus to spread is, indeed, through saliva, you don’t have to kiss someone with an active strain of it in order to contract it. It can also be transmitted by activities like sharing drinks and using another person’s utensils, or through blood and other bodily fluids.

Can you have a flare up of mono?

Mono flare-up In rare cases, the symptoms can flare up months or even years later. EBV, which usually is what causes a mono infection, remains in your body for the rest of your life. It’s usually in a dormant state, but the virus can be reactivated.

What happens if mono is left untreated?

If a teenager or adult is infected, they may experience symptoms like fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. In very rare cases, EBV can cause a chronic infection, which can be fatal if left untreated. EBV has also been linked with a variety of conditions, including cancers and autoimmune disorders.

Will I get mono if my girlfriend has it?

Most (not all) healthy people who have had EBV mono develop immunity to it and do not get sick from subsequent exposures, so there is little risk of you getting mono again if you guys have sex.

Why is mononucleosis known as the “kissing disease”?

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is also known as the kissing disease, because the virus that causes mono can spread through saliva, so a person can get this disease by kissing someone infected with it. But one can also get mono through coughing or sneezing and by sharing cups or vessels with someone who has the disease.

How long is mononucleosis contagious after symptoms appear?

It may take up to 18 months for a person with mono to no longer be contagious. It is still unclear exactly how long mono infections can remain contagious after symptoms stop. On average, most people with mono are contagious for around 6 months. In some cases, it could be contagious for up to 18 months.

Does mononucleosis ever go away?

Although the recovery time for Mono differs from person to person, most mono symptoms fade away after 2-4 weeks. Symptoms like high fever go away within 10 days while the enlarged liver or spleen usually normalise in 4-6 weeks. However, even after most of these symptoms of mono get resolved,…

What virus causes mononucleosis?

Infectious mononucleosis . Infectious mononucleosis (IM, mono), also known as glandular fever, is an infection usually caused by the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV).