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Would I still be infected with epstein-barr virus (mono)? [Solved]

blue powderblue powder Registered User regular
edited May 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
Five weeks ago today my doctor told me that I have mono (glandular fever). It was caught early and since then I haven't been drinking and avoided all contact sports etc. I never had any of the symptoms other than acute tonsillitis at the very start (which triggered my diagnosis).

So, five weeks down the track, I'm taking a girl out and I'm just curious whether I'd still be infectious? I'm aware of its reputation as the kissing disease, and I'd rather avoid infecting this girl if possible! All diagnosis' and medical books I've ready just say it's infectious for a few weeks, but considering how well I've coped with it, do you think I'm past the infectious stage by now?

blue powder on

Posts

  • RookRook Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Five weeks ago today my doctor told me that I have mono (glandular fever). It was caught early and since then I haven't been drinking and avoided all contact sports etc. I never had any of the symptoms other than acute tonsillitis at the very start (which triggered my diagnosis).

    So, five weeks down the track, I'm taking a girl out and I'm just curious whether I'd still be infectious? I'm aware of its reputation as the kissing disease, and I'd rather avoid infecting this girl if possible! All diagnosis' and medical books I've ready just say it's infectious for a few weeks, but considering how well I've coped with it, do you think I'm past the infectious stage by now?

    Once a carrier, always a carrier, and it can be infectious but asymptomatic. The vast majority of people are already infected with it, and it's only those that aren't infected as a child that have problems with it. So, even though you've been ill, you're not really any more or less likely to pass it on that any other guy.

    edit: In the interest of fairness, you ought to at least tell her at some point though. Not like it's a serious thing or anything, but it's worth mentioning it.

    Rook on
  • blue powderblue powder Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Thanks, rook, I'm actually pretty aware of it's physiological implications.. I'm just looking for.. ethical help? Considering it's always going to be a iffy situation, would it be silly of me to not make out with this girl? Or should I just not worry about it and go ahead?

    blue powder on
  • RookRook Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    You did ask if you were past the infectious stage :) You'll always be infectious to some degree.
    Persons with infectious mononucleosis may be able to spread the infection to others for a period of weeks. However, no special precautions or isolation procedures are recommended, since the virus is also found frequently in the saliva of healthy people. In fact, many healthy people can carry and spread the virus intermittently for life. These people are usually the primary reservoir for person-to-person transmission. For this reason, transmission of the virus is almost impossible to prevent.

    http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ebv.htm

    If it goes wrong, blame it on the government, but chances are good that she already has it.

    Rook on
  • blue powderblue powder Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Beautiful, that's all I needed to hear. Thank you very much for your help, Rook, you've really made my day!

    blue powder on
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