Mononucleosis Can You Get It Again
- Most people volition non be able to get mono twice in their life.
- That's because once you're infected with the virus that causes mono, information technology remains inactive in your body.
- Still, those who are immunocompromised may exist at a higher chance for the virus reactivating, and experiencing mono symptoms more in one case.
- This article was medically reviewed past Kristine Arthur, Physician, an internist at MemorialCare Medical Group in Laguna Woods, CA.
- Visit Insider's Wellness Reference library for more advice.
Infectious mononucleosis, or mono for brusque, is spread past the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpes family, through saliva or respiratory droplets.
More than 90% of people worldwide are infected with EBV. The virus will remain inactive for many of these people, and they'll never have whatsoever symptoms of mono.
Nonetheless, at least 25% of immature people who get infected with EBV volition develop symptoms of mono, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Simply at that place'due south some skilful news — if y'all become mono, it'south virtually impossible to get it again. Here's why.
Can you get mono twice?
Once you've had mono, it'south extremely unlikely that yous'll become information technology again months or even years later.
When y'all've been infected with EBV, it remains in your throat and blood cells for the rest of your life — merely is normally latent, or inactive. Your immune arrangement produces antibodies in your blood that help protect you lot against a recurrence of EBV.
"This volition give you permanent immunity from communicable the virus over again," says Dimitar Marinov, Doc, an assistant professor in the section of hygiene and epidemiology at Medical University in Varna, Republic of bulgaria. "That's the reason why you lot cannot get mononucleosis twice."
However, EBV may periodically reactivate in your body, leading to higher levels of the virus in your saliva. Even if EBV does reactivate, at that place are usually no symptoms of mono in otherwise healthy people, Marinov says.
However, you could peradventure still spread EBV to others, regardless of how long it'south been since yous were start infected, the CDC notes. That's why mono can be contagious long afterwards you've displayed symptoms.
People with weak allowed systems are more than likely to get mono twice
Notwithstanding, if yous have a weakened or suppressed immune arrangement, also known as beingness immunocompromised, then you're more at risk of getting mono more than than in one case. If you take the following conditions, you are more than probable to evidence symptoms of mono if EBV reactivates.
- People with autoimmune diseases such equally lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis
- People taking immunosuppressant medications, such as corticosteroids similar prednisone, to care for autoimmune diseases
- Cancer patients
- People with AIDS
Although it is unclear what can trigger a reactivation of EBV, it may be due to an activation of B cells — a type of white blood cells in your allowed organisation — in response to an unrelated infection.
EBV invades your B cells and makes your body produce an excessive number of lymphocytes, the round white claret cells in your lymph tissues, and produce fewer neutrophils, the white claret cells that heave your immune system'southward ability to fight infection.
EBV-invaded B cells may proliferate more in people with weakened immune systems. This makes them more probable than people with salubrious immune systems to have severe symptoms acquired by EBV.
In very rare cases, an EBV infection may develop into chronic active EBV (CAEBV). Instead of going fallow, EBV remains active and can atomic number 82 to serious complications such equally a weakened immune system, lymphomas, or organ failure. The only electric current cure for CAEBV is hematopoietic (blood cells) stem prison cell transplantation.
People from Asia, South and Primal America, and Mexico are more at adventure for CAEBV, and it's mostly acquired by genetic factors. "There are people with genetic variations in their immune cells who are more susceptible to a CAEBV infection," Marinov says.
Other mutual illnesses that you might mistake for mono
It's rare that you'll really get mono twice. So, if you've already had mono one time, and you retrieve you lot're getting it again, it's more likely that you really take another illness with similar symptoms, such as strep pharynx or influenza.
Mono symptoms usually begin four to 6 weeks later you've been infected with EBV. The symptoms typically last from ii to six or more weeks, which is much longer than they usually last for other viral infections.
Unlike mono, the mutual influenza is caused by an influenza virus that can be transmitted non just through saliva, but through the air and by touching contaminated objects.
Flu symptoms usually begin suddenly, shortly after you become infected, rather than over time as they do with mono. The flu typically lasts from a week to 10 days.
And while mono and the flu are acquired by viruses, strep throat is caused by group A Streptococcus leaner, then it can exist treated with antibiotics and will unremarkably last less than one calendar week.
The lesser line
If you've already had mono, and think y'all may have information technology again, bank check with your md, who can determine if that's the case — or if you but take another mutual illness, like strep throat or influenza.
However, in some cases, serious conditions can also display symptoms similar to mono. This includes hepatitis B, a virus that causes inflammation of the liver and has additional symptoms besides those for mono, such as dark urine and yellowing of your skin. You should see a medico right away if you lot take these symptoms.
Related articles from Health Reference:
- How to treat mono and the best ways to relieve your symptoms
- How to tell if you have a fever without a thermometer
- v ways to soothe a sore throat
Source: https://www.insider.com/can-you-get-mono-twice
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