Can One Get Mono Infection More than Once?

The majority of the individuals who have suffered from mononucleosis, get it only once during their lifetime, because the exposure to EBV have already created antibodies against it. They are immune to it and won’t suffer from mononucleosis again. However, very rarely, symptoms of mono may recur many months or years later. Once you get infected with Epstein-Barr virus, the virus remains in your system for the rest of life in a dormant state. The virus may get reactivated periodically. When this occurs, the virus may be found in your saliva; however, you may not get the symptoms. Rarely, reactivated Epstein-Barr virus may produce symptoms in individuals whose immune systems are weak such as in those patients who suffer from AIDS or in individuals who take drugs to suppress their immunity post organ transplant.

Symptoms of Mononucleosis You Should Know

After answering the question can you get mono more than once, let’s discuss how to identify if it occurs again? To identify the recurrence of mononucleosis you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of the illness. The common symptoms and signs of mono are:

• Fatigue or tiredness

• Fever

• Sore throat, usually a strep throat that does not get relieved with the use of antibiotics

• Swollen tonsils

• Skin rash

• Headache

• Swollen lymph nodes present in the armpits and neck

• Swollen, soft spleen

Rarely, mononucleosis results in a serious condition referred to as chronic active EBV infection, characterized by the presence of persistent symptoms for more than 6 months after mononucleosis was diagnosed initially.

When to Visit a Physician

If you are having the above mentioned signs and symptoms and you have suffered from mono previously, visit a physician to find out the cause of your present signs and symptoms. You should be aware of the fact that many other medical conditions such as toxoplasmosis and hepatitis may mimic the signs and symptoms of mononucleosis.

To prevent the recurrence of mononucleosis, you have to maintain a strong immune system.

• Reduce stress: Reduce the amount of stress in your life by practicing stress relieving techniques such as yoga, meditation etc.

• Do regular exercise: Do regular moderate intensity exercises for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. This also helps in boosting up immunity.

• Get adequate sleep: Get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep to keep your immunity up.

• Eat a healthy and well balanced diet: Eating a healthy and well balanced diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is essential in boosting the immune system. If your diet is lacking in vitamins and minerals, then consult your doctor and take a supplement.

Your physician can usually make the diagnosis on the basis of the presence of signs of symptoms of fever, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat. Your age may also help in the diagnosis as mono is prevalent in teenagers; however, it can affect individuals in any age group. The diagnosis may be confirmed by using the following blood tests:

• White blood cell (WBC) count: Mononucleosis results in increased production of white blood cells. Though an increased WBC count does not confirm the diagnosis, still it indicates the possibility of an infection with mono.

• Mono spot test (EBV antibodies): Mono spot test is a test that is used to determine the presence of antibodies against EBV and a positive test is enough to confirm the diagnosis.

After discussing answer to the question can you get mono more than once, let’s know its complications. Usually complications of mono are more severe than the disease. Some of these complications are:

• Spleen enlargement: Mononucleosis may result in spleen enlargement. In severe cases, the spleen may get ruptured leading to sudden, sharp pain in the left upper abdomen. This is a medical emergency and immediate medical attention should be sought as surgery may be required.

• Liver problems: Mononucleosis may result in problems with your liver. You may develop mild inflammation of the liver referred to as hepatitis. Occasionally, you may develop jaundice, which is characterized by yellowing of the white portion of the eyes and skin.

Some of the less common complications of mononucleosis are:

• Anemia: This is characterized by a reduction in hemoglobin and red blood cells, which makes you feel dizzy and fatigue.

• Thrombocytopenia: This is characterized by reduced number of platelets-blood cells that helps in blood clotting.

• Heart problems: Mono can lead to myocarditis- an inflammation of the muscles of the heart.

• Swelling of the tonsils: Breathing can be blocked by swollen tonsils.

• Complications in the nervous system: Mono can lead to encephalitis, meningitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome.