Diseases, Conditions & Concerns / Question
Published: May 7, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I was wondering, if someone that had mononucleosis kissed another person 3 weeks after having the virus could the uninfected person have a very high risk of getting the virus?
Signed: Kissing Someone With Mono
Dear Kissing Someone With Mono,
The Epstein-Barr virus that causes mononucleosis can be excreted for many months after infection so you could contract the virus three weeks after kissing someone who was diagnosed with mono. The period for which it can be contagious has not been determined.
Mononucleosis, commonly referred to as mono or the "kissing disease" is a virus that has several signs and symptoms. Once you have been exposed it may take 30 to 50 days to develop symptoms.
Some signs of mono are:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Swollen glands (lymph nodes)
- Decreased Appetite
- Body and muscle weakness
- Increased tiredness
- Pain in the upper stomach and abdomen
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- A rash
As can be seen by the symptom list, many of these are associated with other illnesses as well. This is why it is important to see your physician if you are having any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose mono through a simple blood test.
Because mono is a virus, there is little that can be done in terms of medication. The idea here is to treat the symptoms. However, if you just assume you have mono and it is really an infection, then you may be wasting time in not getting the proper medication. For example, many of the symptoms listed above are also signs of Strep throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics, whereas mono is a virus that is just treated with rest and fluids.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The highest Chlamydia rates occurred among women ages 15 to 19 and 20 to 24.
