Is mono caused by kissing? (2023)

What is the main cause of mono?

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can also cause this disease. It is common among teenagers and young adults, especially college students. At least one out of four teenagers and young adults who get infected with EBV will develop infectious mononucleosis.

Technically, yes, mono can be considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). But that's not to say that all cases of mono are STIs. Mono, or infectious mononucleosis as you might hear your doctor call it, is a contagious disease caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

It is also possible for someone who has had mono to develop a secondary infection, such as a bacterial infection, during the course of their illness. In conclusion, mono is a viral infection that is not an STD.

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.

People are definitely contagious while they have symptoms, which can last 2–4 weeks or even longer. Health experts aren't sure how long people with mono stay contagious after symptoms are gone, but it seems they can spread the infection for months after that.

Yes, there are three main stages for mono. The first one is the prodrome stage, followed by the acute stage, and the convalescent or recovery stage is the third and last stage of mono.

If you have mononucleosis, you don't necessarily need to be quarantined. Many people are already immune to the Epstein-Barr virus because of exposure as children. But plan on staying home from school and other activities until you're feeling better. Seek the help of friends and family as you recover from mononucleosis.

In general, mononucleosis is not considered a serious illness. However, mononucleosis can lead to significant loss of time from school or work due to profound fatigue and, on rare occasion, can cause severe or even life-threatening illness.

But they do know that the virus which causes mono can be found in saliva and genital secretions. It's quite possible that infection could be passed on during oral sex. Mono, known to doctors as infectious mononucleosis, is usually caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus.

What STD is mono?

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the kissing disease. The virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus) is spread through saliva. You can get it through kissing, but you can also be exposed by sharing a glass or food utensils with someone who has mono.

Mono Can Also Cause These Rarer Complications

Myocarditis This is an inflammation of the heart muscle. Nervous System Problems These include meningitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell's palsy, and seizures. Certain Cancers These include Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

As a precaution, you should avoid sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, food, and kissing until your sore throat and other symptoms have disappeared for several (4-6) weeks. Be sure to cover coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Infection can occur when infected blood and saliva come into direct contact with someone else's bloodstream or mucous membranes. (Mucous membranes line various body cavities including the mouth and nose.) A person is more likely to be infected when kissing if they have open sores in or around the mouth.

There isn't a cure for mono. The virus will go away on its own. Symptoms usually last about 4 weeks.

A small number of people with mononucleosis may never have a positive test. The highest number of antibodies occurs 2 to 5 weeks after mono begins. They may be present for up to 1 year. In rare cases, the test is positive even though you do not have mono.

Students with mono might need to: be absent from school for several weeks. have homework and assignments sent home and tests rescheduled. avoid gym class and sports until they get clearance from a doctor (the virus can cause the spleen to enlarge, creating a risk of rupture )

If you have mono, you may want to wear a protective face mask to help prevent spreading the disease to others.

Once your symptoms do appear, they may last for two to four weeks. You can pass the virus to other people through your saliva for up to three months after your symptoms subside.

When does mono show up on a test?

Heterophile antibodies are present in 40 to 60% of patients with mono in the first week after infection and in 80 to 90% of patients by the third or fourth week after infection. These antibodies usually remain detectable for three months, although they may be present for as long as a year after infection.

Talk to your doctor if: You have mono symptoms for longer than 10 days or you have a severe sore throat for more than a day or two. Your doctor will want to rule out other illnesses, such as strep throat. You have a severe headache that won't go away and a stiff neck, which might be signs of meningitis.

A lot of doctors will do blood tests to confirm mono, though. If someone has symptoms of mono, the doctor may order a complete blood count to look at the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that shows specific changes when a person has mono. A doctor may also order a blood test called a monospot.

Symptoms of Mono

Although both infections can result in sore throat, mononucleosis will make a person feel exhausted, as exhaustion is not a symptom of strep throat. While strep throat will usually lead to enlarged tonsils and the probability of red or white patches in the person's throat.

Even though mono is not as contagious as other infections, you need to take certain precautions to prevent it from spreading. You can be around someone with mono, but avoid kissing and touching them. Refrain from sharing utensils and other objects that might be in contact with their bodily fluids.

Children can return to school when the fever is gone and they can swallow normally. Most children will want to be back to full activity in 2 to 4 weeks. Your child's spleen may be enlarged while he or she has mononucleosis.

Most people who have mono (infectious mononucleosis) will have it only once. But rarely, mononucleosis symptoms may recur months or even years later. Most cases of mononucleosis are caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Mono can make the spleen swell for a few weeks or longer. An enlarged spleen can rupture, causing pain and bleeding inside the belly, and needs emergency surgery. So doctors recommend that teens who have mono avoid contact sports for at least a month after symptoms are gone.

Mono itself doesn't weaken the immune system. In even rarer cases, mono can lead to something called chronic active EBV (CAEBV) disease. This is a serious condition in which mono symptoms last longer than six months. If you experience this or any of the symptoms we've listed below, seek medical attention.

They're most contagious from right before symptoms start until they go away. But they can stay contagious for months after their symptoms have cleared up. Then, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body for the rest of their life.

Is Epstein Barr an STD?

Yes, Epstein-Barr virus can be a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but not every case is an STI. The virus can spread through bodily fluids like blood or semen, but most often spreads via saliva. EBV can lead to infectious mononucleosis that is sometimes called “the kissing disease.”

It is advisable to at least refrain from kissing while there are active symptoms present (i.e. sore throat, fever, swollen glands). Mono may be contracted from carriers (someone who has the organism causing the disease, but who does not become ill).

Mononucleosis usually lasts for 1 to 2 months. Symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph glands in the neck, armpits, and groin, constant fatigue, sore throat, enlarged spleen, and jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin. Treatment includes rest and plenty of liquids.

In addition to mono, EBV infection can lead to a number of other illnesses and complications, especially in people with compromised immune systems. These complications include: Viral meningitis, which involves swelling of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Brain swelling.

EBV infection can affect a person's brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

It is very rare to have a mono-infection twice. After having mono for the first time, the virus lives in your body in an inactive state. Typically your immune system can keep it inactive, but there are rare cases where it does reactivate.

Mono may begin slowly with fatigue, a general ill feeling, headache, and sore throat. The sore throat slowly gets worse. Your tonsils become swollen and develop a whitish-yellow covering. Often, the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen and painful.

Although kissing is considered to be low-risk when compared to intercourse and oral sex, it's possible for kissing to transmit CMV, herpes, and syphilis. CMV can be present in saliva, and herpes and syphilis can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, particularly at times when sores are present.

No matter how short or long the kiss is, your partner's DNA will stay in your mouth for at least another hour.

What are the stages of mono sore throat?

Mono is a contagious illness that is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Mono has three stages: a prodrome, an acute stage, and a convalescent (recovery) stage.

Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV can spread through contact with saliva from an infected person; for example, you can get it through kissing, sharing eating utensils with, or drinking from the same glass as someone who is infected with the virus.

Can mono come back with stress? Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, so it's possible that this could be one trigger leading to a bout of recurrent mono.

Mono recurring

Most people have mono only once. In rare cases, the symptoms can recur due to a reactivation of EBV. If mono returns, the virus is in your saliva, but you probably won't have any symptoms unless you have a weakened immune system.

Many people with mono develop an enlarged spleen, which can last for a few weeks or longer. Although you can return to school or work when you are feeling better, it's important to avoid activities that can cause injury to the spleen.

Mono Can Also Cause These Rarer Complications

Myocarditis This is an inflammation of the heart muscle. Nervous System Problems These include meningitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell's palsy, and seizures. Certain Cancers These include Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Overview. Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the kissing disease. The virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus) is spread through saliva. You can get it through kissing, but you can also be exposed by sharing a glass or food utensils with someone who has mono.

Mono can make the spleen swell for a few weeks or longer. An enlarged spleen can rupture, causing pain and bleeding inside the belly, and needs emergency surgery.

The association of infectious mononucleosis and an immunocompromised host such as occurs in acute leukemia is reported. The most common cause of infectious mononucleosis is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Patients with mononucleosis syndrome caused by other agents are rare.

Most cases of mononucleosis are caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Once you're infected with EBV, you carry the virus — usually in a dormant state — for the rest of your life. Sometimes, however, the virus may reactivate.

What foods get rid of mono?

Drink plenty of water, fruit juice, herbal tea, soup, and broth. Fluids help bring down a fever and soothe a sore throat. Drink as much as you can to raise your energy levels and prevent dehydration.